Fact Check: "U.S. has agreements with Panama and Costa Rica for migrant transfers, but numbers are low."
What We Know
The claim that the U.S. has agreements with Panama and Costa Rica for the transfer of migrants is supported by multiple sources. On February 11, 2025, Panama and Costa Rica agreed to collaborate in a program designed to provide transportation for southbound migrants traveling through their countries, aiming to facilitate their return to their countries of origin (source-1). This agreement was initiated in response to an increase in the number of migrants leaving North America and returning home.
Additionally, the U.S. has been deporting migrants to both Panama and Costa Rica under these agreements. Reports indicate that in February 2025, the U.S. deported 299 migrants to Panama and fewer than 200 to Costa Rica (source-5). This indicates that while the agreements exist, the actual numbers of migrants being transferred are relatively low.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim comes from reputable news sources and official reports. The agreements between the U.S., Panama, and Costa Rica are well-documented, with specific dates and details about the nature of the agreements. The Associated Press reported on the coordination between Costa Rica and Panama to facilitate the transit of migrants, emphasizing the focus on protecting them from human traffickers (source-3).
However, the numbers involved in these transfers are indeed low, as highlighted by the deportation statistics. The U.S. deportation flights to Costa Rica and Panama, while operational, have not resulted in large-scale transfers, which aligns with the claim that the numbers are low (source-7).
The sources used are credible, with the Associated Press being a well-established news organization known for its fact-based reporting. The legal monitor from the Library of Congress also provides authoritative information on international agreements.
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The claim that the U.S. has agreements with Panama and Costa Rica for migrant transfers is accurate, and it is also true that the numbers of migrants being transferred under these agreements are low. The evidence from credible sources confirms the existence of these agreements and the limited scale of their implementation.
Sources
- Panama-Costa Rica: Countries Enter Agreement to Transport Southbound Migrants
- Panama-United States: Agreement Reached on Joint Repatriation Program
- Costa Rica and Panama coordinate to move southbound migrants
- US signs agreements with Guatemala and Honduras to take asylum seekers
- First U.S. Deportation Flight to Costa Rica Lands with 135 Migrants
