Earlier this week, the Vice Minister of Government Administration in charge of immigration affairs in Costa Rica unveiled a new policy that will rule over the next ten years. Vice Minister Freddy Montero, who has been in charge of immigration since 2013, explained that the new policy is unique in the Americas in the sense that it has been formulated with the participation of various sectors of society.

Speaking at a press conference, Vice Minister Montero explained that the new immigration policy in Costa Rica has been developed taking into consideration the needs of foreigners, immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. The new policy will also seek to establish a more rigid control of the admission, permanence and departure of foreigners while paying attention to their human rights.

Equal access to education, health services and job opportunities is also being considered in the new immigration policy as part of an effort to promote grater integration of foreigners into Costa Rica’s society. Other goals include strengthening the fight against human trafficking.

Specific details about the new immigration policy will become known as the new administration takes the Presidential Office in Zapote. Presidential candidate Luis Guillermo Solis of the Citizens Action Party is currently the shoo-in frontrunner after former Mayor of San Jose Johnny Araya essentially conceded to his rival in the upcoming runoff election. Candidate Solis expects to get a million votes in order to solidify his constituent support.

Should candidate Solis become President-elect on April 6^th, his administration will have to review and amend the proposed immigration policy. In the past, candidate Solis has not gone into detail about his plans for immigration in Costa Rica; the extent of his views in this regard is that he supports a fast track to residency for undocumented migrants who are already employed in Costa Rica.

Source: CRHoy.com