Bill · S.Res. 353· Senate(119-SRES-353)
A resolution requesting information on the Republic of Costa Rica's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
- Introduced
- 7/31/2025
- Last activity
- 7/31/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S5004)
- Sponsored by
- Timothy Kaine
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
A Senate resolution is the Senate speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the Senate agrees to it, it is officially the Senate's word; it is not a law, so the House and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution requests that the Secretary of State provide a formal statement regarding the human rights practices of the Republic of Costa Rica. The statement must be prepared in collaboration with the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and the Office of the Legal Adviser. It specifically targets how Costa Rica treats individuals who are not its citizens but have been removed to the country by the United States Government. The request includes details on potential violations such as arbitrary arrest, torture, and trafficking. Additionally, it seeks information on steps taken by the United States to promote human rights and assess risks prior to removal. The goal is to ensure accountability regarding the treatment of these individuals.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would immigrants be better off under this?+5
The resolution aims to protect non-citizens removed to Costa Rica from torture, trafficking, and unlawful detention.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+5
The bill specifically requests information on opportunities for non-citizens to demonstrate they have been wrongfully detained.
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?+3
The bill requests information on ensuring the Government of Costa Rica provides legal immigration status to removed individuals.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Non-Citizens: The resolution seeks information on the treatment, legal rights, and status of people who are not citizens of Costa Rica but have been removed there by the U.S. Government (Section 1(b)(1)(E)). This focus aims to identify if they are being treated humanely.
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Prevention of Rights Violations: By requesting information on arbitrary arrests, unlawful imprisonment, and torture (Section 1(b)(1)(A)), the bill seeks to identify and address potential human rights abuses.
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Due Process Safeguards: The resolution asks for descriptions of opportunities provided to non-citizens to demonstrate they have been wrongfully detained (Section 1(b)(1)(B)), which could help protect individuals from unlawful imprisonment.
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Anti-Trafficking Efforts: The request for information on trafficking in persons, including forced or slave labor (Section 1(b)(1)(D)), targets the prevention of such abuses for those removed to Costa Rica.
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Pre-Removal Assessments: The bill asks for descriptions of steps taken to assess how the Government of Costa Rica would treat individuals prior to their removal (Section 1(b)(2)(D)), which could prevent people from being sent to unsafe conditions.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Risk of Harm in Detention: The resolution notes the potential for people to face conditions in detention centers or prisons that may involve allegations of torture or gross human rights violations (Section 1(b)(3)(C)).
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Risk of Persecution or Harm: There is a stated risk that individuals removed to Costa Rica may be persecuted, tortured, or otherwise harmed (Section 1(b)(2)(D)(i)).
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Risk of Unlawful Actions: The text identifies potential risks of unlawful rendition, trafficking, or other means of removal to Costa Rica (Section 1(b)(3)(F)).
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Threat of Disappearance: The bill addresses the risk of forced disappearances for individuals who are not citizens of Costa Rica but have been removed to Costa Rica (Section 1(b)(3)(E)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Pathway To Citizenship+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+2
- 9/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/31/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S5004)
- Introduced in Senate
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont