Panama is Reportedly Holding Migrants in a Hotel After U.S. Deportation Flights: 'Only a Miracle Can Save Us'

A recent New York Times investigation shows the Panamanian government is holding migrants deported from the U.S. against their will in a hotel in Panama City. (Credit: Getty Images)

Panama received the first U.S. flight carrying deportees from third countries last week as the Trump administration doubled down on its promise to quickly expel migrants from the country. Now, with their next step uncertain, deportees have found themselves trapped in a Panama hotel, not allowed to leave and left praying for "a miracle," according to a new investigation.

The Trump administration announced last week it had deported migrants from several Asian nations to Panama on a military plane that took off from California. The announcement came on the heels of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Panama, also under pressure from Trump what he sees as Chinese influence on the running of the Panama Canal.