New Delhi, Feb 20 (Reporter) Undocumented Indians deported by the US as part of the Trump administration’s strict immigration policy began arriving in the Central American nations of Panama and Costa Rica, with the Indian mission there gaining consular access to the Indian nationals. The Indian mission in Panama said in a post on X: “Panamanian authorities have informed us that a group of Indians have reached Panama from US "They are safe and secure at a Hotel with all essential facilities “Embassy team has obtained consular access “We are working closely with the host Government to ensure their wellbeing.” Indian nationals have also been deported by the US to Costa Rica after the San Jose government said it will take migrants from the US. The first deportation flight to San Jose arrived this week, carrying 200 migrants from Central Asia and India. This follows three flights sent to Panama last week, carrying migrants from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The strategy is part of the Trump administration’s move for handling migrants. The US administration has sought partnerships with other nations to facilitate deportations and reduce pressure on US detention centers. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio secured agreements from Panama and Costa Rica to work with the United States on migration control. Costa Rica clarified that its territory will “serve as a bridge” for migrants’ eventual return to their countries of origin. The US government is funding the entire repatriation process, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency, is overseeing the migrants’ care. The first group of deported migrants arrived in Costa Rica on a commercial flight on Wednesday afternoon at Juan Santamaría International Airport. The deportees were transferred to the Center for Temporary Attention of Migrants (CATEM) in the Corredores region, near the southern border. In Panama City, nearly 300 Asian migrants, including from India, were deported by the US in recent days and are being held at the Decapolis hotel in the Panamanian capital. Panama’s Minister of Public Security, Frank Ábrego, told a press conference, “It was agreed to receive 299 people who came from the United States to be repatriated to their respective countries of origin” and that “171 of them have agreed to return voluntarily”. “We provide them with all necessary medical care and comfort, and we will continue to do so until the last of them leaves our country, which is what was agreed with the United States government,” Ábrego stated. According to Ábrego, among the deportees sent to Panama “there are people from China, India, Iran, Vietnam”. He indicated that this week “around 20 to 25 people” will be voluntarily repatriated, and added that those who do not accept to return voluntarily to their countries will be transferred to a shelter in the Darién jungle, bordering Colombia, waiting for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to relocate them to another country. In Costa Rica, the Foreign Minister Arnoldo André said his country will receive a group of deported migrants from the US, and outlined the government’s plan for their processing and repatriation. André said that after landing, the group will be taken to the Center for Temporary Attention to Migrants (CATEM), where their biometric data will be recorded. Following this, authorities will initiate the repatriation process to their home countries. He said that the length of their stay in Costa Rica will depend on procedures with the receiving countries. Most repatriations will be voluntary, while others will require legal proceedings. According to the Costa Rican government, deportees can stay for a maximum of 30 days in the country. The permit can be extended, but only to complete exit procedures. The US has this year so far deported around 400 Indians on three flights, which landed in Amritsar. India has said it will take back its nationals after verifying their identity...////...