Daijiworld Media Network- Panama

Panama, Feb 21: Indian authorities have obtained consular access to a group of Indian nationals deported from the United States and currently housed in Panama, ensuring their safety and well-being.

The Embassy of India in Panama, Costa Rica & Nicaragua confirmed on Thursday that Panamanian authorities had officially informed them about the safe arrival of the deportees. However, the mission did not disclose the exact number of Indians who were part of the group.

The deported individuals are part of a larger group of 299 undocumented migrants sent to Panama by the US government. These deportations follow the Trump administration’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration, with a pledge to deport millions who entered the United States unlawfully.

Last week, three flights carrying these migrants landed in Panama, after an agreement between Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino and the US administration to make the Central American nation a “bridge” for deportees.

Confirming the development, the Indian Embassy in Panama stated in a post on X:

"Panamanian authorities have informed us that a group of Indians have reached Panama from the US. They are safe and secure at a hotel with all essential facilities. The embassy team has obtained consular access. We are working closely with the host government to ensure their well-being.”

So far, three separate batches comprising a total of 332 Indians have been sent back to India from the United States as part of the ongoing deportation measures.

Among the 299 migrants who landed in Panama, 171 individuals have agreed to return to their respective home countries. However, 98 deportees who refused to return voluntarily have been transferred to a detention camp in Panama’s Darien province.

Meanwhile, Costa Rica has also joined Panama as the second country to serve as a transit hub for deporting illegal immigrants from the US.

The Indian authorities remain vigilant and engaged in monitoring the situation, ensuring that necessary assistance is provided to those affected.