- The United States deported 135 migrants of various nationalities, including 65 minors, to Costa Rica.
- The migrants were from countries including Afghanistan, China, Iran, Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Vietnam, Jordan, Kazakhstan, and Ghana.
- Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala have agreed to receive migrants expelled by the US and hold them until they are sent to their home nations or other host countries.The US recently deported 135 migrants, including 65 minors, to Costa Rica, making it the second Latin American country to serve as a stopover for migrants being deported from the US ยน. The migrants, who are from various countries, including Afghanistan, China, Iran, Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Vietnam, Jordan, Kazakhstan, and Ghana, will be held in a rural facility near the Panama border for up to 30 days before being flown back to their countries of origin.
The arrangement is part of a deal between the US and Costa Rica, where the US government will cover the costs of holding and deporting the migrants. Costa Rica’s deputy minister of the interior and police, Omer Badilla, stated that the migrants will be treated with dignity and in accordance with international standards.
Detention Facility Conditions
The facility being used to hold migrants has faced criticisms for its conditions in the past. In October 2023, migrants were fenced off in cramped facilities and reported feeling like “prisoners.” However, Badilla claims that the facilities have since been improved.
Humanitarian Concerns
Human rights advocates have raised concerns about the use of third countries as deportation layovers, citing concerns about international protections for asylum seekers and the potential for migrants to be sent back to countries where they may face persecution.
Regional Cooperation
Costa Rica is not the only country in the region to agree to hold US deportees. Panama has also accepted deportees, and Honduras has acted as a brief stopover for a deportation flight of Venezuelans from the US.
