Panama Protects Newest Migrants but the IOM and UNHCR Cover ‘All Expenses’

Panama’s Minister of Security, Frank Ábrego, responded to the publication made by the American newspaper New York Times that refers to the stay of a group of migrants who were deported by the United States to later be repatriated to their countries of origin.  Ábrego confirmed that 299 migrants of different nationalities who have been housed at the Decapolis hotel would be deported to Panama, assuring that 171 of them have agreed to be returned voluntarily; even an Irish citizen has already been returned to her country. 

He stressed that the procedure is being carried out at an international level and involves the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which is the contact point for migrants to decide whether they are voluntarily sent back to their countries or, if they do not want to return, then they have to have a third country to which the IOM guarantees their return.  He said that ‘all costs’ are being covered by the United States, UNHCR and IOM. 

“Panama will not offer, nor has it offered, asylum to any of these people. They are nevertheless within their rights to request it,” Ábrego said, emphasizing that Panama’s position is repatriation.  He went on to clarify that, although the migrants are under the temporary protection of Panama, the UNHCR and the IOM are responsible for their repatriation. In this regard, he said that these people will be sent to their country when these organizations have the plane tickets ready.