On Thursday, a deportation flight from the U.S. arrived in San José, Costa Rica, carrying 135 migrants, including 65 children and families from various countries, particularly Uzbekistan, China, and Armenia. This marked the first such flight under the Trump administration’s stricter immigration policies. Costa Rica has accepted these migrants, citing a commitment to human rights and the need to assist families. Officials emphasized that the migrants would be temporarily housed for no more than 30 days before being returned to their home countries, with the process supervised by international agencies. Costa Rica is set to receive a total of 200 migrants.
On Thursday evening, migrants from across the globe, including numerous children, arrived in San José, the capital of Costa Rica, following their deportation from the United States for unlawfully crossing the southern border.
This flight marks the first of its kind to land in Costa Rica, bringing along the latest group of migrants deported by the United States to Central America from countries in the Eastern Hemisphere — a strategy implemented during the Trump administration’s efforts to tighten migration controls.
Just last week, three flights were dispatched to Panama carrying individuals from nations like China and Iran, where deportation logistics pose significant challenges for the United States due to limited diplomatic relations or other obstacles.
While in Panama, migrants were able to reach out to reporters from The New York Times from their hotel accommodations, shedding light on their precarious circumstances. Several expressed that they fled their nations due to persecution and felt that returning would jeopardize their safety.
Upon the plane’s arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport near San José, reporters present on the tarmac captured photos of the onboard migrants.
They held their cell phones against the windows, demonstrating that they were neither handcuffed nor had their devices confiscated.
According to officials, the flight carried 135 individuals: 65 children and 70 adults, which included one elderly person and two expectant mothers. “They are all families; they arrive as family units,” stated Omer Badilla, the deputy minister of governance and head of Costa Rica’s migration authority.
Mr. Badilla mentioned that an additional 65 migrants would be arriving in the coming days, confirming that Costa Rica is set to host a total of 200 migrants.
The flight transported individuals from over a dozen different nations, with more than half originating from just a few countries: Uzbekistan, China, and Armenia.
There were also passengers from Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Russia, and Georgia.
When questioned by a reporter about the fate of individuals unwilling to return to their home countries, Mr. Badilla responded: “Most, or nearly all, wish to go back to their countries. Any specific cases will be handled if a particular request is made.”
He added: “This is merely a request from the United States for cooperation. We understand they were already undergoing deportation processes, and the U.S. is seeking an ally to help facilitate transportation back to their countries.”
The plane was met by approximately 20 police officers. The deportees were disembarked at a safe distance from the group of reporters and were promptly loaded onto a fleet of buses labeled “tourism” awaiting near the runway.
During a news conference this week, Costa Rica’s president, Rodrigo Chaves, indicated that his government’s decision to accept the deportees was influenced especially by the presence of children among them.
Costa Rica has emphasized its commitment to upholding human rights, particularly concerning the treatment of migrants.
After arriving at the airport, the migrants are to be taken to a remote facility known as the Temporary Attention Center for Migrants, located in the southern canton of Corredores, over 200 miles from the capital.
“We have eliminated the option of a hotel to prevent a scenario like that in Panama,” Mr. Badilla, the migration official, informed The Associated Press.
Costa Rica’s government mandates that the migrants must remain in the country for no longer than 30 days before being sent back to their countries of origin. This process is said to be overseen by United Nations agencies, including the International Organization for Migration, and funded by the United States. However, Mr. Chaves acknowledged that in certain situations, deportation arrangements could extend beyond the anticipated timeframe.