Costa Rica received a second group of migrants deported from the United States in April under a bilateral agreement negotiated by the Trump administration. The group of 30 deportees included eight Costa Ricans, eight Brazilians, three Romanians, and nationals from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, China, Ireland, India, Vietnam, and Belarus.
The arrangement is part of a growing number of third-country deportation agreements the Trump administration has negotiated with countries across Africa and the Americas, reflecting efforts to expand deportation options beyond traditional enforcement operations at the U.S. border.
Arrival and Reception
The second group arrived in San Jose on April 18, processed at the airport with assistance from Costa Rican migration police and the International Organization for Migration. The first deployment on April 13 had included 25 deportees from Albania, Kenya, Morocco, China, India, Cameroon, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Upon arrival, all deportees receive hotel assistance and are informed of their available options. They have seven days to decide whether to enroll in the Assisted Voluntary Return program. Those who decline may apply for legal residency in Costa Rica under humanitarian categories or opt for the temporary migration program.
The Bilateral Framework
A bilateral agreement between Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves and U.S. Special Envoy Kristi Noem, signed in March, establishes the arrangement. Under its terms, Costa Rica has agreed to accept up to 25 third-country nationals expelled from the U.S. each week.
Expanding Deportations
The Trump administration has pursued similar third-country deportation agreements with countries across Africa and the Americas. South Sudan, Honduras, Rwanda, Guyana, Dominica, and St. Kitts and Nevis have signed comparable arrangements.
Migrants placed in third-country destinations often face significant challenges. Many lack proficiency in the local language and have limited legal status in their destination countries, leaving them in an ambiguous position with restricted access to services or employment. Advocates have described the situation for some deportees as a legal “black hole” — physically removed from the United States but without clear pathways to either establish legal status or return home.
The agreements allow the Trump administration to create alternative destinations for deportations beyond its traditional enforcement operations at the U.S. border. By distributing deportees to third countries, the administration aims to increase overall expulsion capacity and demonstrate expanded consequences for border crossing attempts.