Mon Feb 24 22:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Panama Hotel Turns into Migrant Detention Center Amid US Deportation Controversy
**Panama City, Panama** – A luxury hotel in Panama City, the Decápolis, has been transformed into a temporary detention center housing 299 undocumented migrants deported from the United States. The migrants, hailing from countries including India, China, Iran, and Afghanistan, arrived on three flights last week as part of a controversial agreement between the Panamanian and US governments.
Distressed messages, visible from the street through the hotel windows, reveal the migrants’ plight. Signs reading “Please help us” and “We are not safe in our country,” along with images of children pleading for help, underscore their desperation. One sign specifically reads “Please save the Afghan girls.”
While the Panamanian government claims the hotel is providing temporary custody for the migrants’ protection, many are refusing repatriation to their home countries, fearing persecution or violence. Only 171 of the 299 migrants have agreed to return. The remaining individuals face an uncertain future, with the Panamanian government stating they will be transferred to a camp in Darién province, a location previously used to house migrants traversing the Darién Gap.
Reports from inside the hotel, relayed via a hidden mobile phone by a concerned Iranian woman living in Panama, allege that the migrants are confined to their rooms, denied legal counsel, and prevented from even leaving for meals. Following initial reports, security has reportedly been tightened, and internet access cut off.
The Panamanian government, while confirming the situation, has not responded to requests for comment regarding the conditions inside the hotel. Minister of Public Security Frank Ábrego stated that the migrants are not permitted to leave to ensure the safety and peace of Panamanian citizens. He also indicated that those refusing repatriation would need to find a third country to resettle in, with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UNHCR assisting in the process. An IOM spokesperson confirmed their support for voluntary repatriation and the identification of safe alternatives, while emphasizing their commitment to ensuring the dignified treatment of all migrants.
This controversial deportation strategy has raised concerns amongst analysts. Muzaffar Chishti, of the Migration Policy Institute, highlights the diplomatic complexities involved in repatriating individuals to countries unwilling to accept their return. He argues that Panama now bears the burden of negotiating with these countries.
The situation at the Decápolis Hotel highlights the growing tension surrounding US deportation policies and the ethical implications of using third countries as transit points for those facing repatriation. Further reports are expected as the situation unfolds.
First Piper 