Panama will allow 112 undocumented migrants deported by the U.S. to stay for at least 30 days, potentially extending to 90 days. This group, primarily from Asia and the Middle East, includes asylum seekers fearing persecution. Legal representatives stress the importance of not deporting them after the permit period. The conditions in their current camp are reportedly difficult, raising concerns about their well-being.
Panama has announced that it will grant a temporary stay of at least 30 days to 112 undocumented immigrants recently deported from the United States, according to Security Minister Frank Ábrego. These individuals, primarily hailing from Asia and the Middle East, will be issued humanitarian permits that could potentially extend for up to 90 days, as they had previously declined repatriation assistance from the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration.
The deportees, part of a larger group of nearly 300 migrants sent to Panama during the Trump administration’s deportation efforts, include several asylum seekers escaping violence and persecution in their home countries. Currently, the group consists of individuals from various countries, including nine from Afghanistan, 12 from China, 24 from Iran, and two from Russia, as reported by Minister Ábrego.
Many of the migrants have been residing in a makeshift camp situated near the Darien jungle. Attorney Ali Herischi, representing some of the Iranian asylum seekers, expressed concerns regarding the lack of clarity surrounding their release. Her client, Artemis Ghasemzadeh, has articulated the peril she faces should she be forced to return to Iran, emphasizing, “We are in danger. We are waiting for (a) miracle.”
A legal team representing the deportees, who previously initiated a lawsuit against Panama at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, has welcomed the decision but insists that asylum seekers should not face deportation after the 90-day period. Attorney Silvia Serna Roman commented on the situation, stating, “Today, in the context of our pending lawsuit, the Panamanian government has changed course – they have made a commitment not to deport our clients and to release them from incommunicado and arbitrary detention.”
The migrant group includes children and individuals at risk of persecution based on religion, sexual identity, or gender identity. Initially housed in a hotel, they were later moved to a camp described by Herischi as challenging, with inadequate access to essential services. Meanwhile, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has refuted claims of rights violations, asserting, “These organizations are respectful of human rights. It’s false and I deny that we are mistreating them.”
In summary, Panama’s decision to temporarily permit 112 deported migrants to remain in the country for at least 30 days represents a significant shift in its handling of deportees. Legal representatives have noted the necessity for ongoing protection for individuals who risk persecution, while the Panamanian government maintains its commitment to uphold human rights standards. The situation remains precarious for the migrants, especially as they await further clarity on their future.
Original Source: www.waow.com
