The United States and Costa Rica have signed a bilateral agreement permitting the U.S. to deport up to 25 individuals to the Central American nation, marking the latest expansion of the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts.
The accord was finalized on Monday by former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, alongside Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves and President-elect Laura Fernandez, who is set to assume office on May 8. Describing the arrangement as voluntary, Chaves emphasized Costa Rica’s retained discretion, stating the protocol allows the nation to reject specific deportees or nationalities while operating within its human rights framework.
The agreement aligns with a broader U.S. strategy to secure “third-country” deportation deals with nations beyond the migrants’ origin countries. Following Costa Rica’s lead, El Salvador and Panama have also consented to accept deported individuals from the United States. This approach aims to accelerate removals amid a surge in immigration enforcement since President Donald Trump’s return to power in January 2025.
The signing was one of Noem’s final acts as DHS chief. Trump recently announced her removal from the cabinet post and appointment as special envoy to the “Shield of the Americas,” a coalition currently comprising 17 Latin American nations focused on countering cartel operations. Noem, a former South Dakota governor and congresswoman, has been a prominent figure in the administration’s immigration crackdown. Her successor, Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as DHS secretary on the same day the Costa Rica deal was signed.
The administration’s mass deportation policy, including these third-country transfers, has drawn criticism from multiple international organisations alleging human rights violations. Such deportation agreements have also encountered legal obstacles in U.S. courts, reflecting ongoing debates over due process and the treatment of migrants.
While the immediate numerical cap of 25 deportees to Costa Rica is modest, the symbolic and strategic value lies in establishing a procedural template for future agreements. For Costa Rica, the deal represents a calibrated step toward regional security collaboration, framed by assurances of sovereign control and human rights compliance.
As the U.S. pushes to enlarge its network of deportation partners, the long-term impact will depend on the operational capacity of recipient nations and the outcomes of mounting legal challenges. The “Shield of the Americas” initiative suggests a continued fusion of immigration and security policy in U.S. foreign engagement across the Western Hemisphere.
