The United States has begun deporting unauthorized migrants from Africa and Asia to Panama, marking a significant diplomatic development in the Trump administration's efforts to accelerate mass deportations.
Internal federal documents reveal that an American military flight recently transported Asian migrants in U.S. immigration custody to Panama, the first known deportation of its kind.
Among those deported were individuals from Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, and Uzbekistan, including families with children. A subsequent flight is expected to transport additional Asian migrants, as well as deportees from Cameroon in Africa. Read on to learn more about it.
Panama's Agreement With The U.S.
Panama's foreign ministry confirmed the country's acceptance of the first deportation flight under an agreement with the U.S. government. The agreement allows non-Panamanian migrants in U.S. custody to be deported to the Central American nation.
The initial flight carried 119 deportees from various countries, including Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. The U.S. government is covering the costs of these deportations.
Panama serves as a key migration corridor in the region, and its cooperation represents a diplomatic win for the Trump administration, which has sought to secure deportation deals with multiple countries to facilitate the removal of migrants who are otherwise difficult to repatriate.
Challenges In Deporting African And Asian Migrants
For years, the U.S. has struggled to deport migrants from Africa and Asia due to logistical challenges, including long travel distances and resistance from governments in those regions. The recent deportation flights highlight how swiftly the Trump administration is working to secure agreements with countries willing to accept non-citizen deportees.
Other nations in the region have already signed similar agreements; El Salvador and Guatemala have agreed to accept deportees who are not their citizens. El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has offered to detain suspected members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, who are expelled from the U.S.
Further negotiations for similar agreements are ongoing, though the scope of additional arrangements remains uncertain. Officials had previously considered sending third-country nationals to Guyana, though no formal agreement has been reached.
Strategic Interests And Political Implications
Panama's willingness to cooperate comes amid broader geopolitical discussions. Former President Trump has expressed interest in regaining control of the Panama Canal, which the U.S. ceded to Panama in 1999. Panamanian leaders have rejected the idea, disputing
U.S. claims regarding China's influence over canal operations.
In a related diplomatic visit, Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Panama on his first international trip in office. The U.S. State Department announced an agreement allowing American military ships to transit the canal for free—a claim that Panama's president denied, calling the statement “based on a falsity.”
Migration Through The Darién Gap
Like the U.S., Panama faces significant migration challenges. The Darién Gap, a dense jungle separating Panama and Colombia, has become a significant transit point for migrants traveling north toward the U.S.
- 2023: Over 500,000 migrants, mostly from Venezuela, crossed the Darién jungle into Panama — a record high.
- 2024: The number dropped to approximately 300,000 but still marked the second-highest annual tally recorded by Panamanian authorities.
As migration patterns shift and diplomatic agreements evolve, the U.S. continues to seek new ways to manage its deportation policies. At the same time, Panama grapples with its role as a key transit nation in the region.
