Sat Feb 15 12:00:00 UTC 2025: ## U.S. Deporting Migrants from Asia and Africa to Panama in Unprecedented Move

**Washington, D.C. –** The Trump administration has achieved a significant diplomatic victory, securing an agreement with Panama to accept the deportation of unauthorized migrants from Africa and Asia. Internal federal documents obtained by CBS News reveal that the U.S. military has begun transporting these migrants, including families with children, to Panama.

A Wednesday flight deported individuals from Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. A subsequent flight on Thursday included additional Asian migrants and those from Cameroon. Panama’s foreign ministry confirmed the agreement, stating that the U.S. will cover all deportation costs. The initial flight carried 119 deportees.

This marks a major shift in U.S. deportation policy, as the long distances and reluctance of many Eastern Hemisphere countries to accept deportees have previously posed significant challenges. The administration’s aggressive pursuit of such agreements is evident in its prior deals with El Salvador and Guatemala, which are also accepting migrants from third countries. While the administration has pursued further agreements, including a potential plan with Guyana, the number of countries willing to participate remains unclear.

The move comes amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Panama regarding the Panama Canal. While President Trump has expressed interest in regaining greater control over the canal, Panama has rejected these claims and disputed the U.S. State Department’s announcement of a free transit deal for U.S. military ships.

Panama, like the U.S., faces significant migration pressures, with the Darién Gap seeing a record influx of migrants in recent years, although numbers have declined from a peak of over half a million in 2023. The agreement raises questions about the long-term implications for both nations, particularly regarding the capacity of Panama to manage this influx of deportees. The Departments of Homeland Security and State have not yet commented on the ongoing deportation flights.

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