'illegal immigrants' Politics

seth from Texas (Contact Member) -

Are there lots of illegal immigrants in Costa Rica? What nationality do they tend to be? What is Costa Rica's stand and opinion on illegal immigrants?

Comment #1 Old Grump from San Jose (Contact Member) -

They are mostly from Nicaguara.. (legal and illegal). Many belive that because of the large quantity of them they are changing and destroying the Costa Rican culture.

They are blamed for petty crime and work for half the wages....

Colombians are blamed for more serious criminal activities and are easily granted residency and the right to work if they enter ILLEGALLY. It is very difficult for them to get a visa to enter legally.

If you have ever spent time in Colombia, you know the "criminal" and "drug lord" image is completely false.

Comment #2 seth from Texas (Contact Member) -

That's strange that they would gain the right to work if they enter illegally but at the same time would have difficulty obtaining a visa to enter legally. That just encourages more people to enter illegally!

Comment #3 Old Grump from San Jose (Contact Member) -

Yes, but it is called political aslyum. Because it is supposedly dangerous in Colombia they give refuge to those escaping. I know other Americans that consider Costa Rica more dangerous than Colombia (for Americans anyway).

Many people try (and may succeed) at entering the United States the same way. They will see an ad somewhere that promises entry into the USA for $10K or more.

When they answer the ad they are given a false passport and visa with instructions to completely destroy the papers enroute so they arrive in the USA without any papers at all. Then they have the option to ask for aslyum or hope the detention centers are full so they are released awaiting a hearing (which they would never show up for).

Comment #4 Excell (63.176.159.206) -

Thats crazy that they can work if they are in the country illegally. You'd think the government would want them to be legal and work, but I dont know how true that is. Are you sure they can work and be in the country illegally?

Comment #5 Barry (63.176.159.225) -

Absolutely. Of course they aren't working legally... but they work cheap! (sound like Mexicans in the USA?)

A while back there was a news story about some people that were charging people $1 to cross a bridge from Nicaguara to Costa Rica!

Costa Rica is a poor country and doesn't have much ability to enforce any boarder restrictions.

Comment #6 Eugene (63.176.159.8) -

These are the things that you wont find on any travel and promotional websites and campaign of a country. A fact of life that no matter how one government covers it up it always resurface. I have been to various websites all saying good things to Costa Rica which I don't doubt at all but amidst all those great image of a wondrous country hides a rotten politics and violence. That is why it is great to participate and become a memver at the forums.

Comment #7 Gart (63.176.159.136) -

How about Asians? Are there incidents where there are illegal Asian immigrants reported or found in Costa Rica? How is the Costa Rican government addressing these issues of violence, illegal entry, and the safety of their people (and other Nationalities)?

Comment #8 Scott (63.176.159.192) -

That is a good point Seth. Making visas extremely hard to get so you can be legal only encourages more and more people to cross the border illegally.

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