Biden Hosts Costa Rican President to Address Migration and Trade

President Biden hosted President Rodrigo Chaves of Costa Rica at the White House to discuss migration challenges and ways to address the surge of migration in the Western Hemisphere. The Biden administration plans to crack down on asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border while working with Central American nations, like Costa Rica, to develop ways for migrants to apply for protection closer to their home countries. The State Department will provide financial assistance to Costa Rica to help address migration, improve policing, and expand crime prevention programs. Costa Rica has agreed to build centers where migrants can be processed for legal protections without crossing the border, aiming to relieve pressure on its asylum system. The two leaders also discussed trade and efforts to combat organized crime.