By Gill Bikram Singh 
Panama City:
In response to international criticism, Panama has released dozens of migrants deported by the United States, who had been detained for weeks in a remote camp in the Central American country. Panamanian authorities have granted the migrants 30 days to decide their next steps, leaving many uncertain about their future.
On Friday, Panama announced it would provide 30-day permits to 112 migrants deported from the US. The government cited humanitarian reasons for the decision, but rights advocates raised concerns that the move might be an attempt to deflect international scrutiny over Panama’s treatment of migrants while also exposing them to further risks.
According to Panama’s Security Minister Frank Abrego, the migrants—mainly from Asian countries—received temporary humanitarian passes. While these passes are valid, the migrants must arrange their own accommodation and decide where to go next.
Abrego told the Associated Press (AP) that the permits are initially valid for 30 days, but they may be renewed if necessary.
“They have exactly 30 days to figure out how to leave Panama, because they refused assistance from the International Organization for Migration and the UN Refugee Agency, insisting that they would handle it on their own,” Abrego stated on Friday, a day before the migrants were released.
US Immigration Crackdown and Human Rights Concerns
Since taking office on January 20, President Donald Trump’s administration has initiated a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration. As part of this effort, the US government has deported hundreds of migrants, including families with children, to Panama and Costa Rica as a temporary measure while officials arrange repatriation to their home countries.
The policy sparked human rights concerns when detainees held in a Panama City hotel displayed signs from their windows, pleading for help and expressing fear about returning to their countries of origin.
Lawyers and human rights defenders warned that Panama and Costa Rica were becoming “black holes” for deported migrants. They argued that the release was an attempt by Panamanian authorities to evade responsibility amid growing international criticism.
Poor Conditions in Remote Camps
Under international refugee law, individuals fleeing conflict or persecution have the right to apply for asylum.
Migrants who refused to return to their home countries were transferred to a remote camp near Panama’s border with Colombia, where they endured weeks in poor conditions. During their detention, they were stripped of their phones, denied legal assistance, and were not informed about their next destination.