Strict New Immigration Law Passes 1st Debate
On Monday, the legislature passed a bill dealing with immigration issues. The law now must return to committee for consultation with the Constitutional Court (Sala IV) and later be approved in a 2nd debate in order to become a law.
According to Minister of Security and Safety Rogelio Ramos, the law makes it illegal to traffic people (immigrants) in Costa Rica. It specifies 2 to 6 years in prison for "coyotes", who are generally transporting people from South America on the way to the U.S. It imposes fines on those housing illegal immigrants and also fines those giving them work.
However, it also opens the way for workers to enter legally by obtaining a work permit. Some sectors, notably Nicaraguans and presidential candidate Arias, oppose the law as draconian and fear it will lead to abuse. Minister Ramos said that it is only intended to punish those taking advantage of illegal immigrants and those working for bands of delinquents.