In March 2025, Panama City welcomed its first group of recently deported migrants from the U.S., many struggling with serious health issues. Among them, an Afghan named Azada Rahimi, along with others from regions including Iran, Ethiopia, and Uzbekistan, expressed bewilderment and despair. Initially, Panamanian officials detained around 300 deportees within a hotel setting before relocating them to a guarded facility deep in the jungle after they refused to return home. Legal action and human rights advocacy led to the eventual release of these individuals, but now they confront a reality that leaves them stranded in Panama, many confined to a school gymnasium provided by aid organizations. They navigate their daily existence without a definitive plan for the future, raising critical inquiries about their next steps. "What am I going to do? Where am I going to go?" echoes the discontent shared among the group, highlighting the broader issues surrounding immigration policies and human rights. The absence of resources and feasible options amplifies their uncertainty as they seek stability and basic necessities in an unfamiliar land.
Migrants Deported to Panama: Stranded and Uncertain

Migrants Deported to Panama: Stranded and Uncertain
As hundreds of deported migrants find themselves in limbo in Panama, many face an uncertain future after being expelled from the U.S.
Dozens of migrants deported by the U.S. are stuck in Panama, grappling with confusion and fear without resources or a clear path forward.