Panama Case Management System (PCMS)

Panama is encountering a sustained extraordinary movement of irregular migration into and through the Darien Panama-Colombia border region. Approximately 302,000 migrants entered Panama through the Darien region in 2024 with most originally from South America (primarily Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador), though there are often large numbers from Africa, South and Central Asia, and East Asia. Many continue in transit across Panama to destinations in Central and North America, though some attempt to remain in Panama. Panama has requested U.S. assistance to enhance Panama s capacity to remove irregular migrants that are deemed inadmissible under Panamanian law. Through partnership with the Department of State (DOS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will provide support to the Panamanian government to expand capability to deter irregular migration. Within the areas of expanded capability and capacity, DHS seeks to implement a Panamanian Case Management System (PCMS) from encounter to final disposition for the Government of Panama (GoP), specifically the Servicio Nacional de Migracion (SNM). The Panama Case Management System (PCMS) is designed to assist Panamanian agents in managing migrant cases through various operational phases: identify, process, retain, and final disposition. The system aims to streamline the migration management process, improve data accuracy, and enhance coordination between different agencies involved in migrant processing. Key features of the PCMS include: Biometric and demographic data capture Identity verification and watchlist checking Case management across multiple locations Integration with existing systems like SIMPLUS and PISCES Mobile accessibility for remote areas Offline data entry capabilities Secure data sharing between various checkpoints Reporting and analytics for Panamanian authorities and international partners The system will support multiple user roles with varying levels of access, ensuring data security and operational efficiency. It will be designed to handle connectivity challenges in remote areas and prioritize critical functions during degraded conditions. Currently, SNM does not have a means to consolidate existing processes within an information technology platform to provide case management across their enterprise.