Panama City, 20 August 2024 - In the framework of the Integrated Responses on Migration from Central America (IRM) program, implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the project of free legal advice to the migrant population in Panama was closed.  

The Government of Panama established the Executive Decree No. 112 of 13 July 2023, which created the new Temporary Protection Permit, and Executive Decree No. 6 of 13 April 2023, which legalizes the Work Permit for Migrants. To support the efforts of the state, IOM, with the support of USAID, accompanied migrants who had been residing in the country for at least a year and had no other migration process in progress through community information hubs and weekly virtual sessions. 

The community information hubs, which took place from April to August 2024 in the provinces of Panama, Panama Oeste, Chiriqui, Herrera and Colon, provided free and individualized legal guidance and orientation to migrants residing in the country, in addition to providing complete accompaniment during the migratory regularization processes. In partnership with the Fundacion Activados Panama and universities, embassies and consulates, advice and guidance were provided through a group of lawyers to more than 1,200 migrants regarding requirements for migratory and labor regularization in Panama. As a result, 278 people completed the regularization process. 

"Migrants experience significant needs related to documentation, income generation, housing, food security and access to services. Among IOM's global Strategic Priorities is to accompany the States to make regularization and regular migration pathways more accessible, recognizing that this is an essential aspect for the integration of migrants and to further strengthen the contributions they make to the countries that host them," said Giuseppe Loprete, Director of the Panama Administrative Centre and IOM Chief of Mission in Panama. 

IOM recognizes that collective efforts are required to strengthen the contributions of migrants to sustainable development and enhance the positive impact of migration, so that it is beneficial to all. For this reason, IOM works to promote the integration of migrants, specifically in communities in the districts of La Chorrera, Panama and San Miguelito, through informative activities on access to rights and services, training on employability and entrepreneurship, as well as cultural and sports activities that promote a culture of peace and social cohesion. More than 9,000 people have benefited from these actions, including migrants and members of host communities.  

Press Contact: 

iompanama@iom.int