Costa Rica has received its inaugural group of mostly Asian migrants deported from the U.S. under a deal allowing the temporary housing of up to 200 deportees. This initiative aligns with President Trump’s stringent immigration policies. Deputy Security Minister Omer Badilla noted that most migrants wish to return home within a month, while some may have their cases evaluated individually. Meanwhile, U.S. authorities have transferred Venezuelan migrants to Honduras.
Costa Rica has welcomed its first group of mostly Asian migrants who were deported from the United States, as part of an agreement with Washington whereby Costa Rica will temporarily house up to 200 deportees from various nations. This initiative is a facet of U.S. President Donald Trump’s rigorous policies aimed at controlling unlawful immigration, leading to an increase in repatriation flights to cooperating countries.
The recent deported individuals were transported from San Diego to San Jose, Costa Rica, and subsequently taken to a migrant shelter located near the Panama border. They will be permitted to reside in the country for a month, during which government officials will facilitate their voluntary repatriation to their countries of origin, as stated by Deputy Security Minister Omer Badilla.
Minister Badilla indicated that the majority of the deported migrants expressed a desire to return home, while those who opted against returning would have their circumstances evaluated on an individual basis. The deportees, who are all part of family units, come from nations including Uzbekistan, China, Armenia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Russia, Georgia, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, and Ghana.
President Rodrigo Chaves of Costa Rica announced that up to 200 migrants from additional nations deported by the U.S. may be received under this new agreement, which was influenced by the potential imposition of U.S. tariffs on Costa Rican exports. Concurrently, U.S. authorities have relocated 177 Venezuelan migrants from Guantanamo Bay to Honduras, with plans to send them back to Venezuela thereafter.
The Panamanian government has reported that three former U.S. deportees have sought asylum and may ultimately be resettled in third-party nations such as Canada.
The arrival of predominantly Asian migrants in Costa Rica underscores a collaborative effort between the two countries amid heightened U.S. deportation policies. Costa Rica’s commitment to temporarily shelter these individuals, while facilitating their voluntary return, highlights the complexities surrounding international migration. Overall, the arrangement reflects the ongoing challenges and negotiations surrounding migrant repatriation efforts.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com