The United States deported 135 migrants of various nationalities, including 65 minors, to Costa Rica on Thursday, the Costa Rican government confirmed.
The deportees arrived on a flight from San Diego, California, which landed at a base near Juan Santamaria International Airport, according to an AFP journalist.
After their arrival, the group was transported by bus from San José, Costa Rica’s capital, to a migrant facility located about 360 kilometers (224 miles) away, near the Panama border. The 65 minors on the flight were all accompanied by a relative, and none of the deportees had a criminal record, said Costa Rica’s Deputy Interior Minister Omer Badilla.
The migrants represented a diverse mix of nationalities, including individuals from Afghanistan, China, Iran, Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Vietnam, Jordan, Kazakhstan, and Ghana.
Costa Rica, along with Panama and Guatemala, has agreed to temporarily house migrants deported by the United States until they can be sent back to their home countries or relocated to other destinations.
Last week, a separate group of 299 deported migrants arrived in Panama, with around 100 of them transferred to the San Vicente refugee camp in Darien province, an area known for its challenging jungle terrain.
AFP
