MEA in Talks with Panama to Verify Nationality of Deported Migrants

New Delhi:Following the deportation of hundreds more illegal immigrants, including some reported Indian nationals by the US to Panama, India on Friday said it was in touch with relevant authorities to verify the nationality of those said to be Indians. Those verified as Indians will be provided travel documents to return home, the MEA said.

New Delhi also said the US had signed “bridge” agreements for deportation with countries such as Panama and Costa Rica. The MEA also said that women and children were not shackled or handcuffed at all on two direct US deportation flights on February 15 and 16 that had landed in Amritsar.

This was after India had taken up with the US the need for “humane” treatment of such persons (in accordance with US rules).

The Indian embassy in Panama on Thursday confirmed that Indian nationals deported from the US are safe and that the embassy has been given consular access to these Indians by authorities in the small Central American nation.

The Indian Embassy said on social media platform X, “Panamanian authorities have informed us that a group of Indians have reached Panama from US They are safe and secure at a Hotel with all essential facilities Embassy team has obtained consular access We are working closely with the host Government to ensure their wellbeing”. The Indian Embassy in Panama also oversees diplomatic work for two other small Central American nations—Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

According to media reports, about 300 migrants, belonging to countries like India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and Iran, among others, were deported by the US to Panama last week. Some of these have been shifted to a remote facility near the Darien jungle, reports stated. Panama has also been an important transit route for illegal immigrants heading to the US border by foot through Mexico.