USA deports Central Asian migrants to Costa Rica

The New York Times reports that Costa Rica will take in migrants deported for illegally crossing the U.S. border. According to the Costa Rican president's office, the government has agreed to cooperate with the United States in repatriating 200 undocumented migrants, who are citizens of Central Asia and India, to their home countries.

According to Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves, the deported individuals include citizens of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. He stated that upon arrival, they will be housed in a migrant detention center for up to six weeks before being repatriated. During this period, they will not be permitted to leave the facility.

The repatriation process will be fully funded by the U.S. government and will be conducted under the supervision of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency, according to the Costa Rican presidential administration.

NBC News reported that the first deportation flight from the U.S. to Costa Rica departed on Thursday and is expected to arrive later in the afternoon. According to the network, 135 undocumented migrants are onboard, nearly half of whom are minors. Among those deported are at least two pregnant women.

Costa Rica’s Deputy Minister of the Interior, Omer Badilla, clarified that this flight also includes migrants from Tajikistan, Vietnam, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. He emphasized that the personal circumstances of the deported individuals will be "thoroughly reviewed" to ensure that their lives are not at risk in their home countries. Some may have the opportunity to apply for refugee status in Costa Rica.

Last week, Panama also received deportation flights from the United States. Three planes transported undocumented migrants from Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa to the country.