US deportees in 'black box' in Panama with no access to counsel, lawyers say

Source: Reuters

US deportees in ‘black box’ in Panama with no access to counsel, lawyers say

Reuters in Panama City
Thu 27 Feb 2025 17.41 GMT
Last modified on Thu 27 Feb 2025 19.35 GMT

Lawyers for immigrants from around the world who were deported from the United States and moved to a remote jungle camp in Panama say they have been unable to communicate with their clients since they arrived there.

About 112 deported people are being held in the “San Vicente” immigration center deep in the dense jungle that separates Panama from Colombia, according to Panamanian authorities. Their future is uncertain as they wait to see whether they will be granted asylum in Panama or elsewhere.

“Individuals, including families like our clients, are being sent to Panama without any screening for asylum and despite not having any connection to Panama,” said Lee Gelernt, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

“And when they get there, they are disappearing into a black box without access to counsel,” he added.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/27/trump-deportations-panama