Voice of America
18 Feb 2025, 07:45 GMT+10
Costa Rica announced Monday it would receive migrants from other countries who were deported by the United States, following in the footsteps of Panama and Guatemala.
"The Government of Costa Rica agreed to collaborate with the United States in the repatriation of 200 illegal immigrants to their country," the Costa Rican president's office said in a statement, adding that "these are people originating from ... Central Asia and India."
Costa Rica is the third country in Central America to collaborate on repatriating deported migrants from the United States since President Donald Trump assumed office in Washington on Jan. 20.
The first set of deportees will arrive in Costa Rica on Wednesday aboard a commercial flight, according to the statement, whereupon they will be transported to a Temporary Migrant Care Center near the border with Panama.
The statement specified that "the process will be completely financed" by the U.S. government under the supervision of the International Organization for Migration.
Panama and Guatemala had previously agreed to a similar arrangement when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited on a recent tour of Latin America.
Panama received its first repatriation flight with 119 migrants aboard last week, originating from China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and elsewhere, according to Panamanian officials. None have arrived yet in Guatemala.
Latin America is the original home of most of the United States' estimated 11 million undocumented migrants.
Many had made dangerous journeys, braving treacherous terrain, wild animals and criminal gangs for a chance at a better life.
Trump, however, took a hard line against undocumented migrants during last year's U.S. election campaign, describing some as "monsters" and "animals."
On his first day in office last month, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern U.S. border and vowed to deport "millions and millions" of migrants.
Get a daily dose of Africa Leader news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Africa Leader.
More InformationLOS ANGELES, California: Two crew members ejected from a Navy jet before it crashed into the ocean near San Diego this week. A sportfishing...
GENEVA, Switzerland: The World Health Organization is pushing for bold, tobacco-style warning labels on alcoholic beverages across...
BOSTON, Massachusetts: A U.S. judge has ruled that a Turkish author and her son can be sent back to Turkey to face charges. The son...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The New York State Department of Health has confirmed its first case of a new mpox strain, increasing concerns...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: NASA changed the astronaut capsule for its next routine flight to the International Space Station (ISS). This change...
FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has changed the name of the Army base Fort Liberty back to its original...
London, UK - Monday's trading session ended with a diverse range of performances across global markets, as major indices posted modest...
SAVANNAH, Georgia: The Port of Brunswick became the top U.S. seaport for automobiles in 2024, growing rapidly and surpassing the Port...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Igloo is recalling over a million of its rolling coolers across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada after reports...
BEIJING, China: China's coal power expansion surged in 2024, with nearly 100 gigawatts of new coal plant capacity breaking ground—the...
TOKYO, Japan: Nissan is bracing for a steep financial loss as it scraps plans for a business integration with Honda, the company announced...
LONDON, U.K.: A UK-based securities trader accused of insider dealing in the United States has won his legal battle against extradition,...