Costa Rica – Immigration Bureau Closed
On Tuesday September 4, 2018 the main offices of the General Directorate of Migration (DGME) in San Jose, Costa Rica, were closed after a raid by the Judicial Investigation Directorate (O.I.J.).
The joint operation with the Panamanian authorities named “Heaven and Earth” arrested 29 people in both countries, including immigration officials, in connection with human trafficking and the use of false documents.
Delays in immigration processing are highly likely, and appointments scheduled for this week are expected to be rescheduled by email.
Furthermore, an indefinite strike of public sector workers is due to start on Monday September 10 and is likely to affect the DGME.
Action Items
- Employers should allow extra time for delays in government immigration processing, and should inform their employees with pending or planned applications.