Six Migrants Escape from Costa Rica's Migration Center
Authorities report the escape of six individuals, including nationals from China, Iran, and Afghanistan, from the CATEM center in Puntarenas.
On March 31, 2025, Omer Badilla, Vice Minister of Governance for Costa Rica, confirmed the escape of six migrants from the Centro de Atención a Migrantes (CATEM) in Ciudad Neilly, Puntarenas.
This incident was detected during routine counts conducted by immigration officials, who found that the individuals had left the center, which houses deported migrants from the United States.
The group consists of nationals from diverse backgrounds, including a Chinese, an Afghan, and an Iranian.
The authorities indicated that these migrants left without their personal documents, which remain in the custody of Costa Rican officials.
Alerts were issued regarding their escape, and if located, they will be returned to the CATEM.
The center currently accommodates 110 asylum seekers out of an initial group of 200 who were deported from the U.S. to Costa Rica at the end of February 2025.
Since their arrival, 16 of these migrants have begun the process of returning to their home countries, while others have expressed intentions to seek asylum, albeit without formally submitting applications.
Some have indicated a desire to relocate to third countries, with those requests currently under review.
The evolving narrative from the Costa Rican government regarding the deported migrants has seen significant changes.
Initially, President Rodrigo Chaves stated that the migrants would remain in Costa Rica for only 'three or four weeks.' Emphasizing this point, he urged the public to dismiss any unfounded fears about the situation.
However, Minister of Security Mario Zamora later reported that only 95 migrants were still at CATEM, countering earlier assertions about their intended duration of stay.
The Costa Rican Directorate General of Migration and Immigration (DGME) has provided migrants with options for their next steps, including the possibility of voluntary return to their home countries, relocation to third nations, or applying for asylum in Costa Rica.
As of late March, data presented indicated that 105 individuals had already left or were in the process of departing from the country.
As the situation at CATEM remains under scrutiny, criticisms have emerged regarding the treatment of the deported individuals.
Allegations have been made by former government officials and lawmakers claiming that authorities may have pressured migrants into making quick decisions about their future, suggesting that those requesting asylum would have to leave the center.
In a statement regarding such allegations, Minister Zamora affirmed that those who apply for asylum are allowed to stay at CATEM, where they continue to receive essential services including food and medical care.
However, the migratory restrictions placed on these individuals have been challenged in Costa Rican courts, with some claims arguing that their detention lacks adequate legal justification.
Despite the escape, no international alerts have been issued for the individuals according to agreements with the United States.
The police have prepared documentation to facilitate their return to CATEM if they are located again.
Recent inspections of CATEM by members of the Costa Rican legislature were conducted to assess conditions at the center following concerns raised about the treatment of those deported.
As the situation develops, further information is awaited concerning the ongoing cases of the remaining migrants and the response of Costa Rican authorities to their legal status.
This incident was detected during routine counts conducted by immigration officials, who found that the individuals had left the center, which houses deported migrants from the United States.
The group consists of nationals from diverse backgrounds, including a Chinese, an Afghan, and an Iranian.
The authorities indicated that these migrants left without their personal documents, which remain in the custody of Costa Rican officials.
Alerts were issued regarding their escape, and if located, they will be returned to the CATEM.
The center currently accommodates 110 asylum seekers out of an initial group of 200 who were deported from the U.S. to Costa Rica at the end of February 2025.
Since their arrival, 16 of these migrants have begun the process of returning to their home countries, while others have expressed intentions to seek asylum, albeit without formally submitting applications.
Some have indicated a desire to relocate to third countries, with those requests currently under review.
The evolving narrative from the Costa Rican government regarding the deported migrants has seen significant changes.
Initially, President Rodrigo Chaves stated that the migrants would remain in Costa Rica for only 'three or four weeks.' Emphasizing this point, he urged the public to dismiss any unfounded fears about the situation.
However, Minister of Security Mario Zamora later reported that only 95 migrants were still at CATEM, countering earlier assertions about their intended duration of stay.
The Costa Rican Directorate General of Migration and Immigration (DGME) has provided migrants with options for their next steps, including the possibility of voluntary return to their home countries, relocation to third nations, or applying for asylum in Costa Rica.
As of late March, data presented indicated that 105 individuals had already left or were in the process of departing from the country.
As the situation at CATEM remains under scrutiny, criticisms have emerged regarding the treatment of the deported individuals.
Allegations have been made by former government officials and lawmakers claiming that authorities may have pressured migrants into making quick decisions about their future, suggesting that those requesting asylum would have to leave the center.
In a statement regarding such allegations, Minister Zamora affirmed that those who apply for asylum are allowed to stay at CATEM, where they continue to receive essential services including food and medical care.
However, the migratory restrictions placed on these individuals have been challenged in Costa Rican courts, with some claims arguing that their detention lacks adequate legal justification.
Despite the escape, no international alerts have been issued for the individuals according to agreements with the United States.
The police have prepared documentation to facilitate their return to CATEM if they are located again.
Recent inspections of CATEM by members of the Costa Rican legislature were conducted to assess conditions at the center following concerns raised about the treatment of those deported.
As the situation develops, further information is awaited concerning the ongoing cases of the remaining migrants and the response of Costa Rican authorities to their legal status.
