Costa Rica Welcomes Asian Migrants Deported from the United States
Costa Rica received its first group of mostly Asian migrants deported from the U.S., part of a deal to house up to 200 deportees. The migrants, primarily family units from various nations, will stay temporarily while organizing their voluntary return home. This move is connected to broader U.S. immigration policies under President Trump, amid concerns over tariffs on Costa Rican imports.
On Thursday, Costa Rica received its inaugural group of predominantly Asian migrants who had been deported from the United States. This action is part of an agreement with Washington, which allows for the temporary housing of up to 200 deportees from various countries. The recent deportations align with President Donald Trump’s stringent measures against illegal immigration, prompting numerous repatriation flights to countries cooperating with the U.S.
This specific group of migrants was flown from San Diego to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Following their arrival, they were transported by bus to a shelter located near the Panamanian border. Deputy Security Minister Omer Badilla stated that these individuals would be permitted to remain in Costa Rica for one month while arrangements for their voluntary return to their homelands are coordinated.
Badilla noted, “Most of them want to return to their countries,” and affirmed that cases of those opting to stay would be managed individually. The migrants constituted family units and hailed from diverse nations including Uzbekistan, China, Armenia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Russia, Georgia, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, and Ghana.
As part of the ongoing agreement, up to 200 additional migrants deported by the U.S. are anticipated to be sent to Costa Rica. President Rodrigo Chaves highlighted the proposal amidst concerns regarding potential U.S. tariffs imposed on Costa Rican exports. Concurrently, U.S. officials organized the transfer of 177 Venezuelan migrants from Guantanamo Bay to Honduras, with plans for their eventual return to Venezuela.
In tandem, the Panamanian government reported that among the migrants it received from the U.S., three individuals had sought asylum, which could lead to their resettlement in other nations, such as Canada.
Costa Rica has welcomed its first group of predominantly Asian deportees under a new U.S. agreement, reflecting heightened immigration measures by the Trump administration. With deportees temporarily housed for coordination of their voluntary return, this initiative illustrates the complexities of international migration policies and the conditions affecting migrant populations worldwide. Future repatriation efforts will continue as ongoing agreements evolve.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
