Costa Rica Activates Controversial "Third-Country" Deportation Agreement with United States

Costa Rica accepts the first group of 25 non-national deportees from the U.S. under a controversial new migration deal involving funding and humanitarian oversight.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 9:13 AM EDT

Source: The Tico Times

Logistics of the First Arrival

The inaugural group of deportees represents a diverse geographic range, including individuals from Albania, Cameroon, China, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Kenya, and Morocco. According to the terms negotiated in San José, Costa Rica has agreed to accept up to 25 deportees per week. However, the Costa Rican government maintains a "veto" power, reserving the right to reject individual cases on a person-by-person basis to ensure national security and humanitarian standards are met.

Funding and Humanitarian Oversight

To manage the influx, the program relies heavily on international cooperation and external financing:

U.S. Support: Funding for the program is expected to be provided by Washington as part of a broader security partnership.

IOM Involvement: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is tasked with providing essential support, including food, lodging, and basic assistance during the migrants' first week in the country.