No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveCourt Blocks Immigration’s Marriage Investigations

Court Blocks Immigration’s Marriage Investigations

THE Constitutional Chamber of theSupreme Court (Sala IV) has ruled thatthe Department of Immigration can nolonger investigate marriages betweenCosta Rican citizens and foreigners whoseek entry permits. The controversial rulinghas immigration officials worried thatthe practice of marrying a citizen to enterthe country will now become a veritablebusiness.According to the daily La Nación, theruling forces the department to resolveresidency applications of non-residentsmarried to Costa Ricans without investigatingor interviewing the spouses, as ithas traditionally done, to determinewhether the marriages were undertakensolely to obtain residency.A lawsuit filed by resident RocíoCruz, whose Cuban husband José RaúlRodríguez was denied entry in 2003 afterimmigration officials said the marriagewas arranged to obtain a visa, promptedthe ruling, La Nación reported.Immigration denied visas for similarreasons to 123 foreigners in 2004, andcurrently has 180 applications under consideration,170 from Cubans and 10 fromChinese citizens.Immigration Director Marco Badillatold the daily that while he has not beenofficially notified of the ruling, the departmentwould obey the ruling “underprotest’’ once it receives word. He alsosaid the decision would open the door forfuture marriages of convenience.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Green Hotels Lead Global Sustainable Tourism

Costa Rica’s reputation as a leader in sustainable tourism grows stronger every year, with our green hotels setting a high bar for eco-conscious hospitality...

An Expat’s Take: 5 Burning Questions About Life in Costa Rica Right Now

Have you been keeping up with the various events taking place in Costa Rica? There is always something interesting going down, and here are...

Prisma Dental in Costa Rica Keeps Customers Happy and Smiling

I am 81 years old and have had teeth removed, bridges, and cavities fixed several times to sustain my ability to eat and function....

El Salvador Slams Paris Fashion Show Inspired by Cecot Mega-Prison Inmates

The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, joked on Saturday that he could send inmates from his mega-prison to France, after they were represented...

Guatemala Offers Asylum to Nicaraguan Migrants Deported by U.S.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo announced on Friday that his country will grant asylum to Nicaraguan migrants deported by the United States who do not...

Costa Rica’s Pride 2025 Closing Event Bans Minors, Sparks Outrage

Costa Rica’s Pride 2025 closing event, set for June 29 at San José’s Plaza de la Democracia, was thrown into controversy when the government...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica