Panama will allow 112 migrants deported by the U.S. to stay for 30 days under humanitarian permits, potentially extendable up to 90 days. The group includes individuals from conflict areas who fled violence and persecution. Legal advocates emphasize the need for lasting solutions to prevent their deportation after the permit period. President Mulino denies any mistreatment of the deportees.
Panama has announced that it will permit over a hundred undocumented immigrants, deported by the United States, to remain in the country for at least 30 days. Frank Ábrego, the Security Minister, stated that these individuals will receive temporary humanitarian permits that might be extended to 90 days. The deported group primarily consists of migrants from Asia and the Middle East who declined assistance for repatriation from international organizations such as the UN and the International Organization for Migration.
The deportees, numbering 112, are among nearly 300 undocumented migrants sent to Panama as part of the Trump administration’s deportation strategies aimed at garnering support from Latin American nations. These individuals include asylum seekers who claim to be fleeing violent persecution. Notably, the group comprises nine tourists from Afghanistan, 12 from China, 24 from Iran, and two from Russia, as reported by Ábrego. The majority of the migrants have been held at a makeshift camp situated near the perilous Darien jungle.
Attorney Ali Herischi, representing Iranian asylum seeker Artemis Ghasemzadeh among others, expressed concern regarding their uncertain status, stating that the individuals are hesitant to sign release documents due to unclear terms of their liberation. Ghasemzadeh, who fled Iran fearing persecution after her conversion to Christianity, conveyed her fear of facing threats if deported back. She stated, “We are in danger. We are waiting for (a) miracle.”
A legal team advocating for the deportees, which previously filed a suit against Panama, welcomed the government’s decision but highlighted that asylum seekers should not face deportation following the 90-day extension. Attorney Silvia Serna Roman indicated that the Panamanian government has made a commitment to not deport the clients, concurrently emphasizing that there are insufficient solutions for those unable to return due to fears of persecution.
The deportees include families with children and individuals fleeing persecution based on religion, gender, or sexual identity. Originally housed in a hotel in Panama City, they were later relocated to a remote camp described by Herischi as poorly maintained, lacking proper medical assistance and internet access. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has consistently refuted claims of any human rights violations, asserting that the government respects the rights of the deportees, stating, “It’s false and I deny that we are mistreating them.”
In summary, Panama has granted temporary reprieve to 112 undocumented immigrants deported from the United States, allowing them to remain under humanitarian permits. While the decision offers a momentary respite, the complexities surrounding their asylum claims and potential future deportation remain concerning. Legal representatives stress the urgent need for viable solutions for those facing persecution, amidst ongoing debates about human rights and the treatment of deported migrants in Panama.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
