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Costa Rica Takes First U.S.-Deported Migrants Under Third-Country Pact

The rollout tests Trump’s third-country deportation strategy under criticism over costs and protections.

Costa Rican authorities receive a flight carrying 25 people deported from the U.S., all nationals of third countries, under an agreement to accept such deportees, at the Juan Santamaria International Airport, near Alajuela, Costa Rica, April 11, 2026. REUTERS/Mayela Lopez
People deported from the U.S., all nationals of third countries, under an agreement to accept such deportees, arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport, near Alajuela, Costa Rica, April 11, 2026. REUTERS/Mayela Lopez
People deported from the U.S., all nationals of third countries, under an agreement to accept such deportees, arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport, near Alajuela, Costa Rica, April 11, 2026. REUTERS/Mayela Lopez

Overview

  • The first group of 25 people, which landed Saturday in San José, arrived under a March agreement to transfer non‑citizens to Costa Rica.
  • The deal limits arrivals to up to 25 per week with U.S. funding, and the U.N. migration agency provides food and lodging for the first seven days.
  • Costa Rica’s migration police manage intake with IOM support, and officials say they will decide each case individually and avoid sending people where they could face persecution.
  • The group included citizens of Albania, Cameroon, China, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Kenya and Morocco.
  • Democratic senators have criticized these agreements as costly, citing a February report that found some removals exceeded $1 million per person, while rights advocates warn people can be left in countries where they lack language skills or family ties.