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The Vital Role of the Franciscan Network for Migrants in Panama

As a result of policies in the US, Panama, a strategic migratory corridor in the Americas, is witnessing a rise in reverse migration. After arduous journeys north in search of safety or better opportunities, migrants are forced or choose to go back due to exhaustion or political obstacles. With the support from Quixote Center, the Franciscan Network for Migrants (RFM in Spanish) team in Panama is a key actor addressing this often-invisible phenomenon, offering humanitarian aid, shelter, and emotional support to those whose dreams were interrupted.

RFM-Panama has strengthened its work in three areas: a meal program in the border town of Paso Canoas, comprehensive care at Hogar Medalla Milagrosa, and coordinated national advocacy and humanitarian assistance through Red Clamor Panamá. Together, these initiatives form a compassionate support system that restores dignity and hope to returning migrants. It is worth pointing out that after distributing 302 meals in the coastal town of Miramar, this meal program was suspended due to logistical challenges and the lack of community buy-in.

Paso Canoas

The Paso Canoas meal program stands as a powerful example of cross-border solidarity and human dignity, uniting church organizations from Costa Rica and Panama through the Uniendo Fronteras Network to support returning migrants. Operating in facilities provided by the local Catholic community, it offers not only nutritious lunches but also a safe, welcoming space for rest and reflection.

Since the launch of the Frontera de Paz y Bien (Border of Peace and Goodness) project in April 2025, led by RFM-Panama with support from the Quixote Center, the initiative has distributed 2,910 lunches, 1,672 hygiene kits, and 300 nutritional kits for children. The project has also trained a dozen volunteers in human rights observation for migrants, nonviolence, and self-care, thereby strengthening their advocacy efforts.

Medalla Milagrosa Home for Migrants and Refugees
The Medalla Milagrosa Home for Migrants and Refugees is a national model of inter-institutional collaboration in Panama, uniting the State, international organizations, and the Church, and coordinated by RFM, with Quixote Center's support. Focused on the most vulnerable groups, including the sick, homeless families, asylum seekers, and returnees, the shelter offers food, hygiene supplies, medicine, digital connectivity, and even funeral support.

Since April 2025, 96 individuals have received direct aid through the emergency initiative, in addition to 111 supported earlier in the year and 56 external migrants, totaling 263 beneficiaries; overall, the shelter assisted 1322 migrants so far in 2025. Through this coordinated and humane response, the Hogar Medalla Milagrosa reaffirms its mission as a place of protection, hope, and dignity for those enduring the hardships of migration through Panama.

We invite you to listen to the testimonials of two migrants from Venezuela, Neibi ([link removed]) and Iriani ([link removed]), who stayed at the shelter this year (here are the original Spanish audio recordings of Neibi ([link removed]) and Iriani ([link removed])). You can also watch two video testimonials from Victor ([link removed]) and Andreina ([link removed]).

Red Clamor Panama

Red Clamor Panama has strengthened collaboration among its 11 member organizations, expanding its presence across key regions of Panama. In Darién, it monitors migratory flows; in Panama City, it supports migrants who remain in the country as well as deportees from the US; and in Paso Canoas and Ciudad de David, it assists people returning voluntarily with limited resources.

Quixote Center's support has enhanced coordination and mobility, enabling a more responsive and compassionate accompaniment of migrants. Overall, these efforts have reinforced a network of protection and welcome grounded in pastoral care, technical support, and human solidarity.

If you wish to leave a comment about this article, please visit our blog HERE ([link removed]).

 

Franciscan Network on Migrants Bi-Annual Meeting

Last week our executive director participated in the bi-annual assembly of our partner in our migrant justice work, the Franciscan Network on Migration (RFM). The weeklong meeting, held in Guadalajara, Mexico, drew RFM team facilitators from across the Americas. A key component of Quixote Center's migrant justice strategy is strengthening the capacity of RFM teams to support the human dignity and human rights of migrants, wherever their journey takes them. The assembly planned RFM's strategy for the next year and adopted three priorities:

RFM teams and partners convened in Guadalajara, Mexico

* Counter the rise of anti-immigrant, criminalizing, xenophobic, and denigrating narratives that portray migrants as a threat, ignore their contributions, and violate their human dignity.
* Strengthen the capacity for political advocacy at the continental and local levels.
* Promote the protection of the forcibly displaced population and the effective integration of repatriated, deported, and returnees.
Quixote Center looks forward to continued partnership with RFM to implement these priorities. You may read the agreed purposes to respond to the needs of the forced migrant population selected by the assembly HERE ([link removed]).

 

Submit Your Comments Demanding USMCA Reforms by November 3rd

In last week's email ([link removed]), Quixote Center highlighted the importance of the upcoming trade negotiations between the three North American nations. This is an opportunity to reinforce workers rights in the region and to include migrant justice and arms trade rules in the new agreement. To review our list of suggested proposals and instructions on how to submit your comments to USTR, click HERE ([link removed]).

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