Costa Rica has agreed to take in 50 migrant children as part of a larger group of 200 individuals expelled from the United States. President Rodrigo Chaves confirmed that the country would ensure their well-being but did not clarify whether the minors were accompanied by family members.
Alongside Panama and Guatemala, Costa Rica has been designated as a temporary host country for deportees under a US agreement. The migrants, mostly from Central Asia and India, will be transported to a facility near the Panama border, where they will stay for up to six weeks before being repatriated. The US embassy in San José and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will oversee their return, with all expenses covered by the United States.
This move comes amid growing concerns over the treatment of deported migrants. In Panama, some migrants displayed messages pleading for help, prompting international scrutiny. In Costa Rica, church groups have raised questions about the welfare of the incoming migrants, especially children.
The deportations are part of former President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies. After returning to office last month, he declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border and vowed to deport millions of undocumented migrants. His hardline approach, including labeling some as “monsters” and “animals,” has sparked global criticism.
As the US enforces its immigration crackdown, Costa Rica and other host nations are left managing the humanitarian impact. The question remains: How will these deported migrants find safety and stability in a world where borders are tightening?