Countries involved include Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras. Panama and Costa Rica are holding deportees from various countries until they can be repatriated, while Honduras has facilitated a transfer of Venezuelans. The U.S. covers the costs for these arrangements.

In Panama, migrants were initially held in a hotel and later transferred to a remote camp with primitive conditions. In Costa Rica, migrants are detained in a facility near the Panama border, which has faced criticism for its conditions in the past.

Critics argue that these arrangements prioritize control over human rights, as migrants face restricted access to legal services and have their belongings confiscated. There are concerns about the screening process for asylum seekers and the safety of repatriation.

The U.S. is driving these agreements by covering costs and pressuring countries to cooperate. This has implications for regional relations, as countries like Costa Rica are motivated by avoiding economic retaliation from the U.S.