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New Immigration Law Passes Gets
First Vote Approval
Congress approved at first
debate the new immigration law
that would punish up to six year
jail time "el coyotage" or the
illegal trafficking of persons.
The new law, if approved in the
second debate, would punish
those found to transport persons
with the intent to avoid
immigration control at border
posts or using falsified
documents.
The new law would also punish
anyone who knowingly gives
lodging or work to illegal
foreigners.
At 10:29pm a vote was taken and
30 of the 39 legislators gave
their approval to the
initiative. The second vote is
expected tomorrow, Thursday,
unless the initiative is
sent to the Sala IV
(Constitutional Court) for
consultation.
The law would exonerate anyone
who harbours an illegal for
humanitarian purposes and have
no financial gain. However,
those who give work to illegals
would face a fine of between
¢369.000 and ¢2.214.000 colones
(us$773 and $4.641) which
represents two to 12 base
salaries.
The new law would also regulate
marriages of foreigners to Costa
Ricans with the sole purpose of
obtaining residency. A foreigner
who seeks to enter or reside
permanently in Costa Rica as a
result of a marriage to a Costa
Rican will have to demonstrate
that they are are living
together. Also the rules
of marriages by proxy will
tightened up, where the couple
would have to show that they
have been living together in the
foreign country for at least a
year.
The law would also impede the
entrance of anyone convicted of
sexual crimes, the exploitation
of minors, murder, tax evasion
and the trafficking of arms,
persons and narcotics.
Ricardo Toledo, a member of the
Partido Unidad Social Cristiana
(PUSC), who is also a candidate
for the 2006 presidential
elections and was minister for
the Presidency in the current
administration, said the law is
necessary so that the country
won't be filled with foreigners.
Meanwhile, members of the
Partido Acción Ciudadana (PAC)
and the Bloque Patriótico (BP)
are arguing that initiative goes
against the rights of immigrants
and violates their freedom to
due process and to marry.
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