United States deporting migrants to third countries including Panama

The Trump administration has implemented a new migration strategy involving the deportation of migrants to third countries rather than solely to their nations of origin. According to an investigation by Forbidden Stories, at least 25,447 people were sent from the United States to 28 different third countries between January 20, 2025, and August 31, 2026.

One such instance involved the transfer of 299 migrants to Panama via three organized flights. These individuals, including Arsaalan Saleh Fard, an Iranian asylum seeker, had no prior links to Panama. The investigation highlights that these mass transfers to countries like Panama represent early manifestations of the administration's policy to utilize third-party nations for migrant removals.