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 landed at Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela province with 15 deportees on board, bringing the total number of migrants deported from the United States to Costa Rica this year to 99.

The group included three women and 12 men from Colombia, Brazil, China, Kyrgyzstan, Senegal and Uzbekistan.

As part of the agreement, Costa Rica waived visa requirements for the migrants. They also received assistance from the Professional Migration Police and representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The IOM is providing lodging, food and humanitarian assistance for up to six months after arrival to cover housing, health care and food expenses.

Under the agreement, migrants may pay for their own housing and live freely anywhere in Costa Rica, provided they remain engaged in their immigration process.

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

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

The latest arrival marked the fifth group of migrants deported from the United States to Costa Rica. The country received its first such 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.

The deportation arrangement 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.

In February 2025, Costa Rica agreed to receive about 200 undocumented migrants deported from the United States. Most remained in the country for up to six weeks before being repatriated.

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

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 more should Costa Rica do 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

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