Published on Saturday, May 30, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Costa Rica on Thursday received another flight carrying migrants deported from the United States, according to the General Directorate of Migration (DGME).

Authorities said the flight arrived at Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela province with 25 deportees on board, bringing the total number of migrants deported from the United States to Costa Rica since April to 125.

The group included seven women and 18 men from Colombia, Brazil, China, Senegal, Albania, Argentina, Mauritania and Nepal.

This marks the sixth flight of migrants deported from the United States to Costa Rica. The country received its first deportation flight in April.

  

The migrants were received under a memorandum of understanding signed in March by former President Rodrigo Chaves Robles and Kristi Noem, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Under the agreement, the migrants receive several benefits, including an exemption from Costa Rica's visa requirements. They also receive assistance from the Professional Migration Police and representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The IOM provides lodging, food and humanitarian assistance for up to six months after arrival. The support is intended to cover housing, health care and food expenses during that period.


Migrants may also choose to pay for their own housing and live freely anywhere in Costa Rica, provided they remain engaged in their immigration process.

Under a special humanitarian visa category, the migrants are allowed to remain legally in the country. Those who choose may also apply for refugee status, which offers additional benefits, including access to medical care.

If migrants decide to leave Costa Rica, they must notify authorities. They may either pay for their own travel or request assistance through the IOM's Assisted Voluntary Return program to return to their countries of origin.

The deportation pact stems from agreements reached during the Summit of the Americas. The broader regional pact outlines measures to strengthen cooperation among Latin American countries in combating organized crime.

As part of those efforts, Costa Rica extradited two of its citizens to the United States in March on drug trafficking charges, marking the first time the country sent nationals abroad to face criminal prosecution.

Authorities said additional information about upcoming flights is expected in the coming days.

In February 2025, Costa Rica agreed to receive about 200 undocumented migrants deported from the United States.

The DGME, Costa Rica’s immigration authority, oversees visas, residency, work permits and other immigration processes for foreign nationals living in the country.

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What additional steps should Costa Rica take to support migrants deported from the United States? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com