Panama City, Feb 20 — A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Panama as nearly 300 migrants deported from the United States are held under humiliating conditions in a hotel. Reports indicate that the migrants, primarily from Asian countries, have been expressing their desperation through handwritten notes displayed from their hotel windows, stating, “Please help us” and “We are not safe in our country.”

According to security officials, as of Tuesday night, about 171 of the migrants had agreed to voluntary repatriation, yet over 40% have refused to return home, leaving their status uncertain. The United States, under the Trump administration, initiated this deportation to utilize Panama as a "bridge" country for migrants whom it struggles to repatriate directly due to various geopolitical challenges.

Many migrants are reportedly housed under police guard, barred from leaving the premises of the Decápolis Hotel, while receiving limited medical attention and food as part of a migration agreement between Panama and the U.S. Additional reports highlight that the Panamanian government denies allegations of detention despite the evident restrictions imposed on the migrants' movements. The situation has drawn criticism from human rights groups.

On Wednesday, a dramatic incident occurred when a Chinese woman among the deportees successfully escaped from the hotel. Authorities indicated her escape was facilitated by external collaborators, warning that they might face human trafficking charges. This escape prompted further scrutiny of the conditions under which the migrants are held.

Amid ongoing uncertainties, 97 migrants who refused to return home were transferred to a temporary facility in the Darién province, a dense jungle region frequently traversed by migrants heading to the U.S. The temporary migration facility’s use has raised apprehensions regarding the safety and wellbeing of resting migrants who are caught in a holding pattern due to political and logistical complexities.

The Panamanian Minister of Public Security, Frank Abrego, has expressed claims that Panama is simply ensuring the safety of those repatriated while facilitating talks with third-party nations for possible resettlement. However, many international observers remain concerned about the legality and ethics of such arrangements, particularly regarding the treatment of vulnerable populations.

As Panama continues to serve as a holding ground, many migrants from conflict-ridden countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan remain anxious about their fates, with some fearing possible deportation back to hostile environments. The International Organization for Migration and UN refugee agencies have been engaged in discussions to provide necessary aid and facilitate voluntary returns.

With the world observing, Panama's actions and the U.S.'s policies on undocumented migration could set precedents for future situations involving migrant rights and humanitarian needs.