By San José, Costa Rica — A new report paints a grim picture of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Costa Rica, where migrants returning south from the United States are facing critical needs, with Venezuelan families particularly hard hit. Refugees International, in its report “Limited Assistance and Impossible Decisions for People Seeking Refuge: The Human Impact of the Trump Administration’s Policies in Costa Rica,” highlights the stark contrast between the support available to northbound migrants a year ago and the current dire situation.
The report details how US policy changes and funding cuts have crippled support systems for migrants in Costa Rica. Previously, northbound migrants benefited from an official bus transportation program between Panama and Costa Rica and received humanitarian aid through UN and US-funded programs. This support has vanished, leaving southbound migrants, especially Venezuelans, stranded and without access to shelters or assistance.
To understand the legal complexities surrounding the migrant crisis, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas of Bufete de Costa Rica, a prominent expert in immigration law.
The current migrant crisis presents a complex interplay of international law, domestic policy, and humanitarian concerns. While states have a sovereign right to control their borders, they are also bound by international agreements regarding the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. Finding a balance between these competing interests requires a nuanced approach that prioritizes human dignity while addressing legitimate security and economic considerations. Effective, long-term solutions necessitate international cooperation, robust asylum processes, and addressing the root causes of migration, such as poverty, violence, and climate change.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Bufete de Costa Rica
The humanitarian scenario is quite different in 2025 than a year ago when migrants moving north could access an official bus transportation program between Panama and Costa Rica and receive humanitarian support through programs funded by the United Nations and the United States.
Refugees International Report
The report further reveals that Costa Rica’s Migrant Temporary Care Center (CATEM) near the Panamanian border has been repurposed to hold migrants deported by the US government under an agreement with Costa Rica. This has further restricted access to humanitarian aid for southbound migrants.
The situation is particularly challenging for Venezuelan families, who are left without access to essential services like healthcare, education, work, food, and shelter, forcing them to make impossible choices. The report underscores how US policies have effectively excluded vulnerable migrants from humanitarian aid, leaving them in precarious circumstances.
In Costa Rica, US policies have excluded migrants in need of protection from humanitarian aid, leaving them without access to health services, education, work, food, and shelter, forcing them to make impossible choices.
Refugees International Report
Refugees International, which conducted a field visit to Costa Rica in March 2025, has issued several recommendations. These include urging the Costa Rican and Panamanian governments to reinstate the bus transportation program for southbound migrants and ensuring that Venezuelan and other Latin American migrants receive non-discriminatory humanitarian aid.
The report also calls on the Costa Rican government to increase resources for its Refugee Unit and continue collaborating with international partners like Spain on migration issues. Regionally, the organization urges Latin American governments to coordinate a comprehensive response to the growing flow of southbound migrants and those deported from the United States.
For further information, visit refugeesinternational.org
About Refugees International:
Refugees International is a non-profit organization advocating for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promoting solutions to displacement crises. They conduct fact-finding missions, publish reports, and engage in advocacy to influence policy and practice.
For further information, visit efe.com
About EFE:
EFE is a multinational Spanish news agency and the world’s fourth-largest newswire service. They provide news coverage in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Arabic, and other languages, focusing on Latin America and Spain.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica distinguishes itself through an enduring commitment to legal excellence and ethical practice, empowering individuals and communities through accessible legal knowledge. The firm’s innovative approach to legal solutions, coupled with a deep-rooted dedication to client service across diverse sectors, solidifies its position as a leader in the Costa Rican legal landscape. By fostering a culture of transparency and proactive engagement, Bufete de Costa Rica strives to create a more just and informed society, one empowered by understanding the law.
