Changes Saught  to New Immigration Law Yet To Come In Force
The reforms to Ley Migración y Extranjería passed last year and coming into effect August 12 may be the subject of debate for the new legislature, as various sectors have differing opinion on the text that establishes rigorous measures.

Mario Redondo, of the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), is one who thinks that it is important to modify the legislation. "When it was approved, controversy surrounded the measures with some saying it is to restrictive while saying it doesn't go far enough", said Redondo.

The new immigration law will punish employers who give jobs to foreigners without residency or to hotels or persons who give shelter to illegals. Fines can range from a few pesos to millions of colones. The maximum fine for corporations is based on the calculation of 12 basic salary units.

The law would also, for the first time, make the "coyotaje" - trafficking of humans - illegal, by setting a prison term of up to six years to any person who transports a person through a border with the intent of avoiding border controls or using false documents.

The new law touches also marriages between Costa Ricans and foreigners whose intent is to obtain a residency visa. The couple must prove an existing relationship. Though the reports are unclear, the law will try to curb marriages by proxy, foreigners marrying Costa Ricans while outside of the country. The law would place the burden on the foreigner to prove that the couple had lived outside of Costa Rica for at least a year before applying for residency.

The law's main objective is to better border operations, guaranteeing a more ordered immigration service without treating foreigners like criminals.

The law was passed by the current legislature last December. Shortly after it's passage, the government announced that the law would not come into effect for eight months, allowing illegals to normalize their immigration status.