Costa Rica blocked 1,138 foreigners from entering the country during Semana Santa

A total of 1,138 people were detained while trying to illegally enter Costa Rican territory between March 22 and April 2, the Immigration Administration reported Wednesday.

On average 113 people a day were rejected after being detained by Immigration Police officers on roads and sidewalks near border areas. Most rejections were made near the border with Nicaragua during Semana Santa, Freddy Montero, general director of the Immigration Administration, said.

From the total figure, 224 foreigners were arrested by Border Police and Immigration Police officers.

As for deportation, the agency reported only 22 cases during Semana Santa, including 19 Nicaraguans, two Colombians and one U.S. national.

In 2012, a total of 7,593 people were rejected in border areas, of which 5,902 were Nicaraguans, 412 Panamanians, 340 Colombians, 83 Chinese, and 160 from the U.S., among others.