The United States has begun transferring undocumented immigrants from various Asian nations, whose governments have declined to accept them, to Panama. This move reflects a significant escalation in the deportation efforts under the Trump administration.

Recently, a military aircraft transported 119 migrants from countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, China, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Pakistan to Panama City. This flight marks the beginning of what is anticipated to be a series of three similar deportation flights.

The decision to send these migrants to Panama comes after a series of statements from Donald Trump, who has made threats regarding the control of the Panama Canal, a territory that was returned to the Panamanian government in 1999 as per a treaty with the United States.

The arrangement to accept these migrants seemingly followed a visit last week to Panama by Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State.

Panama’s president, José Raúl Mulino, informed the media that the nation has welcomed “119 individuals from various backgrounds around the world.”

The migrants are currently being housed in a local hotel prior to their relocation to a shelter near the Darién Gap, a dense jungle area in southern Panama. This process is being coordinated by the International Organization for Migration.

Mulino expressed hope to expedite their departure, stating, “We are making significant contributions to address the migration challenge.” He also mentioned that the affected migrants would eventually be flown back to their home countries, with costs covered by the United States.

Panama joins other Central American countries, such as El Salvador and Guatemala, which have previously agreed to accept migrants expelled from the US.

According to CBS News, a second flight transporting both Asian and African deportees was scheduled to depart for Panama on Thursday. This report indicates that the flight would include individuals from Cameroon.

The Darién Gap, which separates Panama from Colombia, has become a prominent route for immigrants traveling through Central America on their way to the United States. In 2023, over half a million migrants, predominantly from Venezuela, navigated the Darién jungle into Panama. Last year, this number dipped to 300,000.