Costa Rica's Migrant Crisis: Struggles Beneath the Surface of a Tourist Haven
Criticism intensifies over Costa Rica's treatment of migrants, highlighting issues within detention centers housing deportees from the U.S.
Costa Rica, renowned for its lush rainforests and picturesque beaches, is coming under scrutiny for its treatment of migrants.
The Jesuit Migrant Service of Costa Rica (SJM-CR), supported by the Spanish Jesuit organization ALBOAN, has labeled the nation as "a paradise for tourists but a hell for migrants." This critique is particularly focused on the Temporary Migrant Attention Center (CATEM) situated in Corredores, Puntarenas, where 200 deportees from the United States—including 81 children—were temporarily housed following their deportation in February.
The deportees originate from various countries, including Afghanistan, China, Iran, Russia, and Uzbekistan.
Their arrival on two aircraft from the U.S. was a part of the previous administration's stringent immigration policies.
Reports indicate that many deportees were handcuffed, uncertain of their destinations, and separated from family members during the process.
At CATEM, which was previously a pencil factory located near the Panama border, these individuals faced detention that could last up to two months.
Many reports detail substandard conditions, including inadequate food supplies, extreme heat, minimal medical care, and restrictions on freedom of movement.
Additionally, confiscation of passports and a shortage of translation services left many migrants, such as Marwa, a 27-year-old Afghan woman, in a state of fear regarding their potential return to dangerous environments.
SJM-CR, along with allies such as the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), has lodged a complaint with the United Nations, alleging that Costa Rica violated the rights of the detained children.
The facility's transformation from a voluntary shelter to a detention center occurred as a result of a policy change in 2022 under President Rodrigo Chaves, who agreed to accept U.S.-deported individuals in exchange for financial assistance.
Human Rights Watch has condemned the lack of accessible asylum options and highlighted the transparency issues related to CATEM, where both journalists and human rights organizations have been barred from entry.
In April, Costa Rica responded by granting temporary humanitarian status to those detained, allowing for limited freedom of movement.
However, the permits—valid for only three months—do not confer working rights, leaving many individuals in a state of uncertainty.
The shelter Casa Arrupe, operated by SJM-CR in Paso Canoas, provides essentials such as food and internet access to some deportees, easing their transition.
SJM-CR has expressed admiration for the resilience demonstrated by the migrants, emphasizing the contributions of local religious organizations in the relief efforts.
The ongoing crisis mirrors a broader strategy employed by the United States to transfer deportees to Central American nations, with similar operations noted in Panama and El Salvador.
Currently, Costa Rica is accommodating around 300,000 migrants, which constitutes roughly 7% of its total population.
Advocates for migrant rights are calling for improved protections and an end to agreements that enable detention practices.
The Jesuit Migrant Service of Costa Rica (SJM-CR), supported by the Spanish Jesuit organization ALBOAN, has labeled the nation as "a paradise for tourists but a hell for migrants." This critique is particularly focused on the Temporary Migrant Attention Center (CATEM) situated in Corredores, Puntarenas, where 200 deportees from the United States—including 81 children—were temporarily housed following their deportation in February.
The deportees originate from various countries, including Afghanistan, China, Iran, Russia, and Uzbekistan.
Their arrival on two aircraft from the U.S. was a part of the previous administration's stringent immigration policies.
Reports indicate that many deportees were handcuffed, uncertain of their destinations, and separated from family members during the process.
At CATEM, which was previously a pencil factory located near the Panama border, these individuals faced detention that could last up to two months.
Many reports detail substandard conditions, including inadequate food supplies, extreme heat, minimal medical care, and restrictions on freedom of movement.
Additionally, confiscation of passports and a shortage of translation services left many migrants, such as Marwa, a 27-year-old Afghan woman, in a state of fear regarding their potential return to dangerous environments.
SJM-CR, along with allies such as the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), has lodged a complaint with the United Nations, alleging that Costa Rica violated the rights of the detained children.
The facility's transformation from a voluntary shelter to a detention center occurred as a result of a policy change in 2022 under President Rodrigo Chaves, who agreed to accept U.S.-deported individuals in exchange for financial assistance.
Human Rights Watch has condemned the lack of accessible asylum options and highlighted the transparency issues related to CATEM, where both journalists and human rights organizations have been barred from entry.
In April, Costa Rica responded by granting temporary humanitarian status to those detained, allowing for limited freedom of movement.
However, the permits—valid for only three months—do not confer working rights, leaving many individuals in a state of uncertainty.
The shelter Casa Arrupe, operated by SJM-CR in Paso Canoas, provides essentials such as food and internet access to some deportees, easing their transition.
SJM-CR has expressed admiration for the resilience demonstrated by the migrants, emphasizing the contributions of local religious organizations in the relief efforts.
The ongoing crisis mirrors a broader strategy employed by the United States to transfer deportees to Central American nations, with similar operations noted in Panama and El Salvador.
Currently, Costa Rica is accommodating around 300,000 migrants, which constitutes roughly 7% of its total population.
Advocates for migrant rights are calling for improved protections and an end to agreements that enable detention practices.