'Help us': 300 US deportees, including Indians, held in Panama
What's the story
Nearly 300 deportees from 10 Asian countries, including India, are being held at a hotel in Panama.
The United States deported the individuals as part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration.
The detainees are under police surveillance and are not allowed to leave the premises until arrangements for their repatriation are finalized, according to the Associated Press.
Concerns raised
Detainees express fear, reluctance to return home
Reportedly, around 40% of the detainees are unwilling to return to their home countries voluntarily. This has raised questions on how long they would be detained in Panama.
Some migrants even displayed notes from their hotel windows with messages like "please help us" and "We are not safe in our country."
Last Monday, President José Raúl Mulino agreed to make Panama a "bridge" country for deportees, bringing them to the hotel in Panama City via three flights.
Transit point
Panama's role in US deportation efforts
The country's Security Minister Frank Abrego confirmed that 171 of the detainees have agreed to return voluntarily to their home countries.
However, he didn't give a specific timeline for their departure.
He added others would leave gradually with transport provided by the United Nations (UN).
Apart from Indians, there were also citizens from China, Uzbekistan, Iran, Vietnam, Turkey, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka
Pending relocation
Possible relocation of detainees to Darien Gap shelter
In the meantime, the detained migrants could be shifted to a shelter close to the Darien Gap jungle in southern Panama.
Since Trump assumed office as US president, at least three aircraft carrying Indian deportees have landed in India.
The flights arrived in Amritsar on February 5, February 15, and February 16. The deported individuals were mostly from Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and other states.