Central American nations have traditionally accepted their citizens who are deported from the United States. However, under the Trump administration, there is a push to expand this practice to include individuals from various regions globally. The extraordinary actions surrounding these deportations—such as transporting numerous migrants by airplane to unknown destinations, then relocating them to secluded shelters—have drawn attention to countries like Panama and Costa Rica and the broader impacts of Trump's immigration policies.
To date, the number of deportees from non-Central American countries has been relatively low and the future growth of this number remains uncertain. Regional heads have generally indicated their cooperation with the U.S. but have also downplayed the significance of these recent deportations. Despite this, analysts caution that these leaders face growing pressure due to the looming threat of tariffs. An uptick in deportation flights could eventually overwhelm Central American nations.
Christopher Sabatini, a senior fellow at Chatham House, remarked on the precarious situation these leaders find themselves in. He highlighted past instances of consequences faced by those who objected, such as sanctions and reduced visa privileges.
This month, the Trump administration dispatched three military aircraft to Panama with approximately 300 migrants, primarily from Asia and the Middle East. Shortly after, a second plane carrying 135 deportees—almost half of whom were minors from China, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe—landed in Costa Rica.
As the situation continues to evolve, the implications for Central American nations in response to these deportations hang in the balance, potentially altering regional dynamics and the very fabric of their societies.
