Sun Mar 09 09:51:56 UTC 2025: ## Panama Releases 65 Migrants Deported from US After Weeks in Jungle Camp
**Panama City, Panama** – Sixty-five migrants, deported from the United States and held for weeks in a remote camp in the Darien Gap, a dangerous jungle region bordering Colombia, have been released by Panamanian authorities. The migrants, hailing from countries including China, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Nepal, were given at least 30 days to leave Panama, with the option to extend their stay to 90 days to pursue resettlement or voluntary repatriation.
The release comes amidst mounting human rights criticism of a deal between Panama and the US which saw Panama accept deported migrants from third countries. Critics, including human rights groups and immigration advocates, have condemned the agreement, alleging it allows the US to circumvent its responsibilities regarding asylum seekers and constitutes a cruel outsourcing of its deportation process.
The migrants, many of whom fled persecution and violence in their home countries, were reportedly held in poor conditions in the Darien camp since mid-February, with limited access to legal counsel and communication. Several recounted instances of being denied asylum claims at the US border despite fleeing persecution, including a 27-year-old Russian LGBTQ+ activist and a 29-year-old Afghan who fears Taliban retribution.
Panamanian authorities deny allegations of mistreatment but barred journalists from accessing the camp, raising further concerns about transparency. The release leaves the migrants in legal limbo, struggling to find safe solutions without being forced to return to potentially life-threatening situations in their home countries, highlighting the complexities of international refugee law and the ethical dilemmas surrounding deportation policies. The incident underscores the urgent need for a more humane and comprehensive approach to managing international migration and ensuring the protection of asylum seekers.
First Piper 