The Costa Rican government has agreed to receive up to 25 deported migrants a week from the United States, according to multiple reports. This agreement is part of the Trump administration's efforts to deport people to third countries, and it was signed during a visit by Kristi Noem, the former homeland security secretary. Costa Rica seeks a closer alliance with Donald Trump's government through this agreement, sources said.
Costa Rica's acceptance of deportees is voluntary, with the country having discretion over the number and nationality of deportees accepted, as stated by Mario Zamora, the Minister of Public Security. The Costa Rican ministry of public security confirmed that Costa Rica will only receive deported migrants who are not from Latin America or nations that refuse to take back their citizens. Additionally, Costa Rica will only receive migrants without criminal records, according to Zamora. He explained that Costa Rica feels obligated to reciprocate at a time when the United States and its immigration services need the humanitarian cooperation of Costa Rican authorities.
Costa Rica feels obligated to reciprocate at a time when the United States and its immigration services need the humanitarian cooperation of Costa Rican authorities.
Logistically, the US government will provide information about individuals to be deported to Costa Rica 48 hours before a deportation flight, multiple reports indicate. Upon arrival, Costa Rica will give deportees a limited legal status on humanitarian grounds. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is expected to provide assistance to deportees upon arrival, though the full details of its role and scope remain unclear. Zamora added that with financial support from the United States, they will be provided with housing and food on Costa Rican soil, and Costa Rican immigration authorities will collaborate with US immigration authorities to carry out all the necessary immigration logistics to guarantee the return of these individuals to their countries. The exact start date for implementation and the specific nationalities of migrants to be deported have not been confirmed.
US deportations to Costa Rica would be carried out by the Department of Homeland Security, though how exactly this will be done is unspecified. Kristi Noem is now overseeing the 'Shield of the Americas' initiative, which aims to eradicate criminal cartels in the western hemisphere, according to the Trump administration. A US Department of State statement said that implementing the Trump Administration's immigration policies is a top priority for the Department of State, and as Secretary Marco Rubio has said, they remain unwavering in their commitment to end illegal and mass immigration and bolster America's border security. The full details of financial support from the United States for housing and food are unknown. An IOM spokesperson noted that where engaged, their support focuses on providing basic services and helping individuals navigate a limited set of options.
With financial support from the United States, they will be provided with housing and food on Costa Rican soil. Costa Rican immigration authorities will collaborate with US immigration authorities to carry out all the necessary immigration logistics to guarantee the return of these individuals to their countries.
Implementing the Trump Administration's immigration policies is a top priority for the Department of State. As Secretary [Marco] Rubio has said, we remain unwavering in our commitment to end illegal and mass immigration and bolster America's border security.