Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for the United States to review the asylum claims of around 200 individuals expelled to Costa Rica in February. The expelled migrants include children, and HRW alleges that their transfer occurred without proper legal procedures. These individuals hail from various Latin American countries, such as Colombia, Venezuela, and Peru, and initially sought asylum at the US-Mexico border. After presenting themselves to US Border Patrol agents near San Diego, they were relocated without due process, according to HRW.
This relocation was executed under a poorly understood agreement between the US and Costa Rica, which HRW claims is lacking in essential protections and transparency. Some migrants reportedly faced threats, violence, and extortion post-expulsion. HRW has termed this situation as placing vulnerable families in peril by transferring them to a country they did not choose, asking both US and Costa Rican authorities to allow these migrants the chance to seek asylum in a safe environment. More on HRW’s statement can be found in their press release.
The rights group’s concerns rest on potential violations of international law, including the principle of non-refoulement, as enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, to which the US is a party. HRW contends that the current US practices are inconsistent with these commitments and the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). For further details, HRW’s comprehensive insights are provided in their report.
The organization has urged the US to clarify the legal basis of the removals, enhance transparency, and work with Costa Rican officials to ensure the safe return of those wishing to seek asylum. Additionally, HRW has appealed to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to establish a monitoring mechanism for tracking human rights breaches as individuals traverse international borders.