In a troubling development, Faber-Castell, the world’s preeminent pencil manufacturer, has publicly expressed concern regarding the use of its former factory in Costa Rica as a detention centre for migrants. This facility, initially intended for humanitarian assistance, has reportedly been repurposed to hold asylum seekers deported from the United States under the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies.
Misuse of Humanitarian Facility
The factory, located in Paso Canoas—approximately 300 kilometres south of the capital San José—was donated by Faber-Castell to the Costa Rican government in 2018 with the explicit understanding that it would serve as a shelter for migrants. According to a contract between the German company and the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security, the premises were to be used solely for humanitarian purposes, providing refuge and assistance to those in need.
However, it has come to light that the facility, now known as the Centro de Atención Temporal para Migrantes (Catem), was transformed into a detention site for individuals deported from the United States, including families and children. Faber-Castell representatives stated that they were unaware of this repurposing until contacted by journalists, highlighting a significant breach of the original agreement.
The Context of the Detentions
The controversy erupted when Costa Rica accepted 200 deportees from the United States in February 2025, following a renewed immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. These individuals, many of whom hailed from countries as diverse as Russia, Asia, and Africa, were forcibly returned despite not being criminals. Upon arrival in Costa Rica, they were taken directly to Catem, where they reportedly remained detained for over two months.
A ruling from Costa Rica’s constitutional branch of the Supreme Court later declared that these deportees had been “deprived of their right to liberty.” The Ministry of Public Security denied allegations of unlawful detention, asserting that the migrants had been temporarily housed in the facility for humanitarian reasons due to their vulnerable status.
Human Rights Concerns
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has conducted investigations into the conditions at Catem, concluding that the facility was intended for short-term stays yet was being used to detain individuals for extended periods without legal justification. HRW’s findings raise serious questions about the treatment of these migrants, who were held in an environment not designed for their care and were reportedly denied access to legal support and information about their situation.
In response to these allegations, the Costa Rican government defended its actions, claiming that the measures taken were necessary to protect individuals who could potentially fall victim to human trafficking and smuggling networks. They reiterated their commitment to addressing the humanitarian needs of these vulnerable populations.
Voices from Within Catem
Testimonies from detainees, such as a 37-year-old Russian man who spoke to the Guardian under a pseudonym for safety reasons, paint a grim picture of life within Catem. He described losing substantial weight and facing illness during his family’s detainment, questioning the legality of their circumstances. The individual expressed feelings of entrapment, stating, “We were detained there without our passports. Some people wanted to leave and they didn’t allow us to leave.”
In June 2026, a court ruling reinforced the concerns surrounding the legality of the detentions at Catem, stating that the migrants’ confinement represented a violation of fundamental human rights, particularly due to the lack of judicial oversight and access to information.
Why it Matters
The situation at Catem not only highlights the complexities of international migration and humanitarian aid but also raises critical questions about the responsibilities of nations receiving deportees. The involvement of a multinational corporation like Faber-Castell further complicates the narrative, emphasising the need for transparency and adherence to humanitarian principles. As global migration patterns continue to evolve, the treatment of vulnerable individuals must remain a priority, ensuring that their rights are respected and upheld. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by asylum seekers and the need for robust frameworks to protect their dignity and freedom in a world increasingly focused on stringent immigration controls.