Immigration Law: Dead on Arrival?; Tico Times

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In the slight instance some of you have not seen the Tico Times 04 August 2006

Confusion and conflict continue to surround the new Immigration Law, but one thing became clear this week: foreigners aren’t likely to notice any difference after it goes into effect next week.

The Executive Branch, which has criticized the law passed by the previous administration, submitted a bill to the Legislative Assembly that would delay it until December 2007.

Legislators say there’s no way they can approve it in time, but that might not matter.

Immigration Director Mario Zamora told The Tico Times that regardless of whether the law’s start date is postponed, Immigration simply cannot comply with the law because officials don’t have ¢7 billion
($13.6 million) for the new police, infrastructure and administrative reforms the law demands. No one’s obliged to do the impossible,
he said.

These developments were met with relief from critics of the law, who say it’s extreme and potentially violates human rights. Others say the country desperately needs the new measures. I’m absolutely against the administration’s position, said Oscar López, the only
legislator from the Access Without Exclusion Party (PASE). There’s no room for any more immigrants here& Costa Rica is for Costa Ricans.

More followed.

By María Gabriela Díaz
Tico Times Staff

Edited on Aug 04, 2006 19:12

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