In part one, Melona shared how she fled Eritrea, sought asylum in the United States, but was deported to Panama instead. A country that she has no ties to and does not speak the language.
This did not happen in isolation. The US government is sending people on deportation flights to Panama (and soon to Costa Rica) under a formal agreement. Melona was forced on one of those flights.
She was held in a hotel with hundreds of other migrants and asylum seekers, in a situation that drew international news coverage. Images of people standing in hotel windows, holding up signs asking for help, caught the world’s attention. They were held without explanation and with no knowledge of what comes next.
From there, she was moved from place to place with no clear path forward, left to navigate systems that offer no real place to settle.
She is still living in that reality. Still waiting. Melona’s story is not an exception. It is the direct result of United States policy. And it’s still happening.
We invite you to watch and share Melona’s story, to see what life is like Between Borders.
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