Lawmakers Prepare To Vote On Costa Rican Immigration Bill

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington

01 September 2005

Costa Rica's controversial new Immigration Bill, which imposes tough new provisions in an attempt to stamp out illegal immigration, is approaching a final vote in the national assembly.

The General Law of Immigration, proposed in February 2001 by the Executive Branch, attempts to update Costa Rica's outdated immigration codes. It allows police greater freedom in their attempts to discover and remove illegal immigrants, and punishes employers who hire undocumented workers.

Under the bill, undocumented immigrants have eight months to become legalized before facing deportation. It also grants police the power to enter any business at any time and demand to see employees' documentation. Employees and employers who fail to provide the appropriate legal documentation will face steep fines.

However, the bill does not increase the $600 monthly income requirement for retirees seeking residency in Costa Rica under the 'pensionados' category, as was originally proposed. Nor does the bill increase the minimum $1,000 monthly income requirement needed to apply for residency, or 'rentista' status.

First approved by the Legislative Assembly in May, the legislation is now due to re-enter the floor following revisions made in committee. If approved, the bill will then go to a second and final vote.

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