Fact Check: U.S. has agreements with Panama and Costa Rica for migrant transfers
What We Know
The claim that the U.S. has agreements with Panama and Costa Rica for migrant transfers is partially true. Recent reports indicate that both Costa Rica and Panama have coordinated efforts to manage the transit of migrants, particularly those who have been deported from the United States. On February 11, 2025, the governments of Panama and Costa Rica entered into a collaboration to provide transportation for southbound migrants returning to their countries of origin, which addresses the increased number of migrants leaving North America due to changing U.S. immigration policies (source-1).
Additionally, Costa Rica announced that it would allow some of the approximately 200 migrants deported from the U.S. to stay in the country for three months while they seek asylum or plan their next steps (source-2). This indicates a level of cooperation between the U.S. and these Central American countries regarding the handling of deported migrants.
Analysis
While there is evidence of coordination between Costa Rica and Panama regarding the management of migrant flows, the claim that there are formal agreements specifically for "migrant transfers" from the U.S. is more nuanced. The agreements focus on facilitating the transit of migrants who are returning to their home countries rather than explicitly transferring migrants from the U.S. to these countries.
The source detailing the agreement between Panama and Costa Rica emphasizes that the initiative is a response to the increased number of migrants leaving North America, which suggests a reactive rather than proactive approach to U.S. deportations (source-1). Furthermore, the humanitarian permits issued by Costa Rica for deported migrants indicate a willingness to provide temporary refuge, but they do not constitute a formal transfer agreement with the U.S. (source-2).
The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they come from reputable news organizations and official government announcements. However, the context of the agreements and the conditions faced by migrants in these countries can vary, and there are ongoing concerns about the treatment of deported individuals (source-5).
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that the U.S. has agreements with Panama and Costa Rica for migrant transfers is Partially True. While there are collaborative efforts between these countries to manage the transit of migrants, including those deported from the U.S., the nature of these agreements is more about facilitating return and temporary refuge rather than direct transfers from the U.S. to these nations.
