Refugees International Welcomes Costa Rican Court’s Order to Release Migrants Expelled by the United States, Provide Services

Statement from Refugees International Senior Advocate for Latin America Rachel Schmidtke: 

“Refugees International welcomes yesterday’s ruling by the Costa Rican Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice that the Costa Rican government release the migrants who were expelled from the United States and detained in the Temporary Attention Center for Migrants (CATEM in Spanish) as well as provide them with access to education, housing, social services, and restitution for the harm they experienced during their detention.  

While this ruling does not fully repair the damage done to the individuals illegally deprived of the right to seek asylum in the United States, it is a huge step in the right direction for those who remain in Costa Rica, in line with recommendations of Refugees International and other civil society organizations. Importantly, this ruling came just one day before U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s visit to Costa Rica. The decision should serve as a warning to the Costa Rican government not to collaborate with the United States on deportation deals that will violate the human rights of migrants.”

For more information or to schedule an interview please contact Etant Dupain at edupain@refugeesinternational.org.