Migrants Deported to Panama Under U.S. Plan Face Dire Conditions in Jungle Camp**

Nearly 100 migrants, deported from the U.S. to Panama, are detained in a makeshift facility described as akin to a “zoo,” raising concerns about their treatment and legality.**

Nearly 100 unauthorized migrants recently deported from the United States to Panama have been transferred from a temporary hotel facility to a remote detention camp located on the outskirts of a jungle. According to several migrants, the group, which includes eight children, was bused late Tuesday night after spending some time in hotel accommodations.

Reports indicate that conditions in the new detention facility are poor, with detainees describing an environment that includes fenced areas reminiscent of a “zoo.” Artemis Ghasemzadeh, a 27-year-old migrant from Iran, recounted the harrowing experience, stating, “They gave us a stale piece of bread. We are sitting on the floor.” The camp is reportedly situated in an area prone to diseases, such as dengue fever, raising alarm regarding the health and safety of those detained.

The legality of the migrants' detention has been called into question, particularly as attorneys have pointed out it is unlawful to hold individuals in Panama for over 24 hours without a court order. The detainees’ transfer marks a continuation of a distressing week for a larger group of around 300 migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. Under the Trump administration’s immigration strategy, Panama agreed to assist in deportation efforts targeted at unauthorized migrants.

The move has drawn criticism due to the unwarranted conditions faced by these individuals, as the Panamanian government has restricted access to the detention site for journalists and humanitarian aid groups, fueling concerns about transparency and treatment of migrants held there.