April 17, 2025, 7:11 p.m. ET – In a significant legal development, attorneys representing migrant rights have filed a lawsuit against Costa Rica, alleging that the country has infringed upon the rights of 81 minors deported from the United States. The complaint focuses on the alleged mistreatment of these children, who were reportedly detained for nearly two months under conditions deemed harmful.
This case marks the second notable legal challenge launched against a Central American nation in response to the Trump administration's controversial immigration policies, which have increasingly relied on regional partners for managing deportations. Filed before the U.N. committee that oversees the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the lawsuit raises alarms about the conditions the children endured during their detainment.
Ian Kysel, a Cornell Law School professor and a co-founder of the Global Strategic Litigation Council, a group involved in the legal action, explained that Costa Rica, by accepting additional commitments under the U.N. treaty, is subject to scrutiny by a panel of experts. While this panel can issue directives, compliance will ultimately depend on the country’s willingness to adhere to international standards.
In February, Costa Rica received around 200 deported individuals from various countries, including minors from nations such as Iran and China. Following their arrival on two deportation flights from the U.S., the minors, along with other deportees, were transported to a remote holding facility located near the Panamanian border, where they awaited repatriation or asylum in third countries.
This lawsuit aims not only to advocate for the affected children but also to compel Central American nations to reconsider their cooperation with U.S. deportation initiatives. The implications of this case may extend beyond Costa Rica, potentially influencing other countries involved in similar arrangements with the U.S. regarding immigration enforcement.
This case marks the second notable legal challenge launched against a Central American nation in response to the Trump administration's controversial immigration policies, which have increasingly relied on regional partners for managing deportations. Filed before the U.N. committee that oversees the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the lawsuit raises alarms about the conditions the children endured during their detainment.
Ian Kysel, a Cornell Law School professor and a co-founder of the Global Strategic Litigation Council, a group involved in the legal action, explained that Costa Rica, by accepting additional commitments under the U.N. treaty, is subject to scrutiny by a panel of experts. While this panel can issue directives, compliance will ultimately depend on the country’s willingness to adhere to international standards.
In February, Costa Rica received around 200 deported individuals from various countries, including minors from nations such as Iran and China. Following their arrival on two deportation flights from the U.S., the minors, along with other deportees, were transported to a remote holding facility located near the Panamanian border, where they awaited repatriation or asylum in third countries.
This lawsuit aims not only to advocate for the affected children but also to compel Central American nations to reconsider their cooperation with U.S. deportation initiatives. The implications of this case may extend beyond Costa Rica, potentially influencing other countries involved in similar arrangements with the U.S. regarding immigration enforcement.
