Freedom House Regularization process for Nicaraguan HRDs in Costa Rica In Costa Rica, there are numerous regulations and public policies related to migration in general, particularly for those applying for refugee status. The General Law on Migration and Foreigners, Law 8764, approved in 2009 explicitly states, “respect for human rights and constitutional guarantees of all foreigners who enter and remain in the country,” and “full respect for international obligations on human rights and the international protection of refugees.”24 Refugee applicants face long waiting periods in the process of regularizing their status or obtaining refugee status, some waiting up to two years. Some HRDs interviewed highlighted that while they arrived in 2019, they had their first appointment the first months of 2021. At that first appointment, they schedule their “eligibility” interview with the Visa and Refugee Commission. Nicaraguan HRDs, like the general migrant population, received their work permit on average after three months of the first appointment. This allows them to seek employment, but in the interim they must find a way to survive and support themselves and their families. In our interviews, Nicaraguans HRDs described the review of paperwork as slow, and many perceived prejudice by authorities against them, particularly when the HRD is poorer and less educated. In our survey to Nicaraguan HRDs, about half indicated that they had received treatment that impacted their rights while in Costa Rica, including xenophobia and discrimination. GRAPH 2: NICARAGUAN HRDS IN COSTA RICA – ARE YOU PLANNING TO RETURN TO NICARAGUA? 12% Are the HRDs able to find sustainable employment to continue their human rights work throughout the time they are unable to return to their home countries? Despite Costa Rica’s welcoming policy and commitment to offering refuge, Nicaraguan HRDs face challenges to integrating into society. Not only are services for HRDs scarce, but support mechanisms are operating at full capacity and are unable to be responsive to increased demand. Many Nicaraguan HRDs leave everything behind and exhaust their savings to survive in the initial period of exile. With time, and after regularizing, some exiled HRDs have managed to be employed by continuing to work for their respective CSOs, continuing their profession (e.g., journalists), or doing small temporary work. In our non-representative survey with Nicaraguan HRDs in Cost Rica, over 90% mentioned they have continued to work in exile as HRD. Below are some of the factors they mentioned to be key when living in exile: HRDs interviewed also mentioned the support of organizations, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International Organization for Migration (IOM), Costa Rican NGOs, Nicaraguan organizations operating in Costa Rica, and other international NGOs. However, while more than 90 percent of those Nicaraguan HRDs who responded to the survey said they were able to work, the broader interviews and focus groups point to other challenges as was the case of Venezuelan HRDs in Colombia. For example, work they find is often voluntary, unpaid work. As a result, they face economic hardship while waiting for legal work status or refugee status and confront xenophobia. Upon arrival, Nicaraguan HRDs encounter a limited network of informal and formal resources that provide the necessary immediate information and some resources. Once they have resettled and are awaiting regularization, HRDs face additional “I have not been able to find work since I do 88% not have the document that makes me legal in the country.” (Nicaraguan HRD in Costa Rica.) Yes No FreedomHouse.org 11