Latest news with #FrankAbrego
MTV Lebanon
07-03-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Panama to grant some temporary permits to migrants sent from US
Panama will issue temporary permits for some migrants recently sent from the U.S. allowing them to stay in the Central American nation for up to 90 days if they do not wish to return to their home countries for security reasons, an official said on Friday. The measure may apply to 112 of the 299 migrants recently sent by the U.S. to Panama who are from other nations, and were transferred to a migrant center in the jungle area of the Darien Gap, Security Minister Frank Abrego told journalists. These migrants, including nationals from Iran and China, will receive a 30-day humanitarian permit, which has to possibility of a 90-day extension, in order to begin legal processes for resettlement or voluntary return. They will also be interviewed by authorities and placed under the protection of Panama's National Office for Refugee Assistance (ONPAR). The group of migrants had been moved to the Darien, a dangerous jungle region near the Colombian border and key transit route for many migrants crossing from South America on foot, in mid February, raising concerns from lawyers. They had earlier been in a hotel in Panama City, where local media reported they were not allowed to leave. Panama has an arrangement with the United States under which it accepts to receive third-country migrants deported from the U.S., and is then responsible for their repatriation of resettlement. This is part of the U.S. administration's policy of ramping up migrant deportations.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Panama to grant some temporary permits to migrants sent from US
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) -Panama will issue temporary permits for some migrants recently sent from the U.S. allowing them to stay in the Central American nation for up to 90 days if they do not wish to return to their home countries for security reasons, an official said on Friday. The measure may apply to 112 of the 299 migrants recently sent by the U.S. to Panama who are from other nations, and were transferred to a migrant center in the jungle area of the Darien Gap, Security Minister Frank Abrego told journalists. These migrants, including nationals from Iran and China, will receive a 30-day humanitarian permit, which has to possibility of a 90-day extension, in order to begin legal processes for resettlement or voluntary return. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. They will also be interviewed by authorities and placed under the protection of Panama's National Office for Refugee Assistance (ONPAR). The group of migrants had been moved to the Darien, a dangerous jungle region near the Colombian border and key transit route for many migrants crossing from South America on foot, in mid February, raising concerns from lawyers. They had earlier been in a hotel in Panama City, where local media reported they were not allowed to leave. Panama has an arrangement with the United States under which it accepts to receive third-country migrants deported from the U.S., and is then responsible for their repatriation of resettlement. This is part of the U.S. administration's policy of ramping up migrant deportations.
Reuters
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Panama to grant some migrants sent from US 90-day stay for safety reasons
PANAMA CITY, March 7 (Reuters) - Panama will issue temporary permits for some migrants recently sent from the U.S. allowing them to stay in the Central American nation for up to 90 days if they do not wish to return to their home countries for security reasons, an official said on Friday. The measure may apply to 112 of the 299 migrants recently sent by the US to Panama who are from other nations, Security Minister Frank Abrego told journalists.
Los Angeles Times
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Panama to formalize long-used migrant smuggling boat route to handle ‘reverse flow' south
PANAMA CITY — Panama said on Tuesday that it's working to formalize a route long used to smuggle migrants on the way to the U.S., which is now being increasingly used to return migrants to South America in a reverse flow triggered by the Trump administration. It comes as a growing number of migrants give up on seeking asylum in the U.S., often after crossing the perilous jungles dividing Colombia and Panama known as the Darien Gap and waiting more than a year in Mexico for an asylum appointment on the border. Migrants from countries like Venezuela and Colombia, unwilling to once again risk their lives crossing the Darien, have paid boats to carry them back to South America along the Caribbean Sea pressing up against Panama. Migrants are then dropped off in northern Colombia, where many continue on their journeys. In years past, such boats were often used as a 'VIP route' for migrants traveling north who could pay enough to avoid walking for days through the dense jungle. But the Panamanian government has faced backlash in recent days after a boat capsized in rough waters on Friday, claiming the life of one 8-year-old Venezuelan child. Following press and regional official reports of Panamanian authority involvement in organizing migrant transport, Panamanian Security Minister Frank Abrego said on Tuesday that the boats were carrying migrants south with the 'full knowledge of regional authorities.' But he insisted that the boat arrangements were 'irregular' deals struck with boat captains. Abrego said authorities were monitoring the boats to prevent human trafficking, unlawful detention of migrants and other types of criminal action.
The Independent
26-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Panama is organizing boat route long used for migrant smuggling for 'reverse flow' south
Panama said on Tuesday that it's working to formalize a route long used to smuggle migrants on the way to the U.S., which is now being increasingly used to return migrants to South America in a reverse flow triggered by the Trump administration. It comes as a growing number of migrants give up on seeking asylum in the U.S., often after crossing the perilous jungles dividing Colombia and Panama known as the Darien Gap and waiting more than a year in Mexico for an asylum appointment on the border. Migrants from countries like Venezuela and Colombia, unwilling to once again risk their lives crossing the Darien, have paid boats to carry them back to South America along the Caribbean Sea pressing up against Panama. Migrants are then dropped off in northern Colombia, where many continue on their journeys. In years past, such boats were often used as a 'VIP route' for migrants traveling north that could pay enough to not walk days through the dense jungle. But the Panamanian government has faced backlash in recent days after a boat capsized in rough waters on Friday, claiming the life of one 8-year-old Venezuelan child. Following press and regional official reports of Panamanian authority involvement in organizing migrant transport, Panamanian Security Minister Frank Abrego said on Tuesday that the boats were carrying migrants south with the 'full knowledge of regional authorities." But he insisted that the boat arrangements were 'irregular' deals struck with boat captains. Abrego said authorities were monitoring the boats to prevent human trafficking, unlawful detention of migrants and other types of criminal action. ____
