The Deputy Minister of Security and Director of Migration and Immigration, Omer Badillaalleged a procedural issue as the reason for not having referred to the Ombudsman’s Office information on the whereabouts of the first 25 deported migrants that the United States sent to Costa Rica, within the framework of a new agreement.
According to Badilla, since last April 11, the Ombudsman’s Office asked his office, through a message WhatsAppthe information, but had to send it through the “formal routes”.
This Monday, the Ombudsman gave a period of 24 hours to the Government to report the location of the 25 deported foreignersas part of the memorandum of understanding signed between the president Rodrigo Chaves and Kristi NoemUnited States special envoy for the Shield of the Americas.
“It is not true that we want to deny this information; on the contrary, it is very valuable for the enrichment of the process. You will understand that these people are protected in their sphere of privacy. It is for that reason that, From our office, we have not wanted to provide information about where they are staying.“Badilla said.
The vice minister clarified that the 25 people are in “complete freedom” and warned the Ombudsman’s Office that, due to this condition, there is no guarantee that they remain available on the day the institution carries out the visit.
“We do not want nor do we see it as prudent to display information about these people as if it were a circus or a show. We are totally committed to the process so that all this management is appropriate and in strict respect of their rights,” the official concluded.
What does the Ombudsman allege?
After two days of his arrival, this Monday, the Ombudsman’s Office indicated who has not received information about the place where this group remainswhich has prevented him from carrying out an on-site inspection in order to verify the conditions in which they are found.
According to the Ombudsman’s Office, although initial contacts were made with the General Directorate of Migration and Immigration (DGME) to obtain the data, information was not providedwhich forced a formal request to be submitted this Monday.
The defender of the inhabitants, Angie Cruickshank Lambertrequested the Vice Minister of the Interior and Police, Manuel Jimenez Stellerwhich within a maximum period of 24 hours facilitate the location of these peopleas well as details about the expected time of stay in the place where they are located.
He also requested information on the fate of those people who cannot be transferred to their countries of origin in the short term.
The entity also requested a copy of the care protocol that is being applied for this group and if inter-institutional coordination has already been activated to guarantee the protection of their fundamental rights. For this information, a maximum period of three days was established.
The Ombudsman indicated that These actions seek to follow up on recommendations previously issued to the Costa Rican State. in deportation processes, with the aim of avoiding a repetition of situations such as those recorded in February 2025, when a group of 200 people in conditions that generated a condemnation from the Constitutional Chamber.
First group of 25 foreigners deported
On the afternoon of Saturday, April 11, Costa Rica received the first group of 25 foreigners deported by the United Statesafter the new agreement that will allow the North American power deport up to 25 people per week to Costa Rican soil.
According to a press release from the General Directorate of Migration and Immigration, a Costa Rican woman was also deported within the group. The migrants have nationalities of Albania, Cameroon, China, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Kenya and Morocco.
This is the breakdown by nationality:
- Albania: 1 (woman)
- Cameroon: 4 (2 men and 2 women)
- China: 2 (men)
- Guatemala: 8 (5 men – 3 women)
- Honduras: 4 (2 men – 2 women)
- India: 3 (men)
- Kenya: 1 (female)
- Morocco: 2 (men)
The flight, from the Global X airline, arrived at the Juan Santamaría international airport coming from San DiegoUSA.
Migration reported that exempted visas for deportees from Albania, Cameroon, Kenya, China, India and Morocco.
