Costa Rican Foreign Minister Arnoldo André Tinoco is urged to recognize asylum rights for deported third-country nationals from the US during his upcoming address. A recent arrival of 200 deported individuals, including children, has raised concerns about their treatment. Human Rights Watch has criticized the lack of due process in US deportation practices, urging Costa Rica to uphold its commitment to asylum amidst migrant challenges.

The Foreign Minister of Costa Rica, Arnoldo André Tinoco, is encouraged to announce his migration agreement with the United States during his address to the Legislative Assembly on March 19, 2025. Human Rights Watch asserts that deported third-country nationals from the US should be granted the opportunity to seek asylum in Costa Rica. Recently, 200 individuals, including 80 children, arrived in the country and are currently detained in a migration reception facility near the Panama border. This group consists of nationals from various nations including Afghanistan, Vietnam, Iran, and others.

Michael Garcia Bochenek, a senior counsel for Human Rights Watch, criticized Costa Rica’s potential complicity in human rights violations, urging Costa Rican officials to promptly assess the refugee claims of those deported. Contrary to the claims by US and Costa Rican officials that all deportees wish to return home, numerous individuals have indicated their intent to seek asylum due to fleeing persecution in their home countries.

Interviews reveal disturbing practices by US officials that breach US law, particularly regarding the expedited removal process. Those who express a fear of returning must be interviewed by asylum officers. However, many deported individuals, including a woman facing persecution for converting to Christianity, were swiftly deported without receiving a fair legal process.

Another case involved a mother and her young son seeking asylum at the Arizona border but were subsequently sent to Costa Rica without a hearing. A family from Afghanistan expressed their desperation to US officials about their asylum claims, only to be split and deported without being granted the necessary interviews. Furthermore, a Russian couple indicated they were similarly ignored in their attempts to achieve asylum.

The Costa Rican government initially regarded these deported individuals as merely temporary visitors en route to their home countries, thereby not acknowledging their right to asylum. Historically, Costa Rica has been recognized for its role as a refuge, yet recent government actions have sought to restrict access to asylum.

President Rodrigo Chaves acknowledged backing the US’s immigration policies while stating that the US finances the accommodation of deported persons in Costa Rica. Despite persistent claims from US officials regarding the legal nature of deportations, the lack of criminal allegations against these individuals raises substantial concerns.

Families are currently detained in a facility in Corredores canton, which, although offering basic necessities, fails to provide adequate living conditions for children. The Ombudsman’s office in Costa Rica has voiced concerns regarding the subpar conditions present in the detention center, emphasizing the government’s obligation to respect international asylum law.

As the Legislative Assembly prepares to interrogate the foreign minister about the US agreement, Human Rights Watch advocates for transparency concerning the rights of these individuals to seek asylum in Costa Rica. The government must clarify their procedures and explicitly ensure the protection of rights for those deported who were denied asylum hearings in the US.

In conclusion, the situation surrounding the deported third-country nationals in Costa Rica highlights significant legal and humanitarian issues. The failure of US officials to provide them with proper asylum interviews raises critical concerns about human rights abuses. Costa Rica’s historical commitment to asylum must not be undermined, and transparency regarding its migration agreements with the United States is essential. Civil society, including organizations like Human Rights Watch, continue to urge the Costa Rican government to uphold its obligations to protect vulnerable populations seeking refuge.

Original Source: www.hrw.org

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