India is collaborating closely with the authorities in Panama to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian nationals who have recently arrived from the United States. The Indian Embassy in Panama has confirmed that these migrants are currently “safe and secure” in a hotel, and they have been granted consular access. In a statement shared on X, the embassy noted that Panamanian officials have informed them of the arrival of a group of Indians from the US, who are being accommodated in a hotel equipped with essential amenities. The embassy team has successfully secured consular access and is actively working with the local government to safeguard the well-being of these individuals.
This announcement comes in light of reports indicating that nearly 100 migrants, who were recently deported by the US to Panama and initially housed in a hotel, have been relocated to a migrant camp situated on the outskirts of the jungle. Panama’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Carlos Ruiz-Hernandez, emphasized that this facility is not a detention center but rather a location where migrants can access food, water, and medical assistance. Additionally, Panama’s Security Minister, Frank Abrego, mentioned that the migrants are being held for their protection while their identities are being verified. These migrants were part of a larger group of 300 individuals who had entered the US in search of asylum and were subsequently sent to Panama under an agreement established between the country and the Trump administration regarding the deportation of undocumented migrants. Meanwhile, the deportation of Indian nationals from the US continues, with the third batch arriving at Amritsar Airport on February 16, following earlier groups on February 5 and 15.
