Tom Hanks portrayed an eastern immigrant who finds himself stranded in
JFK airport, and must take up temporary residence there in the 2004
movie "the Terminal". However, for Yuderci Abralantes García, living in
the Juan Santamaría (San José) international airport is no movie role,
but real life.
The Cuban dissident has taken to living in the airport terminal for fear
of reprisals if she returns to Cuba.
Clutching a bible and sleeping under a thin blanket, the blond woman has
been living in the terminal for the last fifteen days after fleeing Cuba
and seeking refuge in Costa Rica.
Yuderci travelled on TACA from La Habana to San José and has become the
responsibility of the airline until Costa Rican immigration officials
make a determination on the case.
The Cubana told Marcelino Rivera of the Spanish daily Diario Extra that
she came to Costa Rica to seek refuge as the situation in Cuba is very
difficult. "This is a free country, with liberty of expression and where
people have an opportunity to better themselves", said Yuderci.
The woman has become the attention of passengers coming and going
through the terminal, as the sight of someone living and sleeping in the
airport temrinal is not a common occurrence in Costa Rica.
The 30 year old woman said she has been treated well while she waits for
immigration officials to give her a reply to her request for refugee status.
Although she is not in detention, she woman cannot leave the terminal,
sleeping on the cold floor of the terminal, while employees of TACA
airlines keep a constant eye on her and is escorted to the bathrooms and
food areas.
The head of the policía de Migración (immigration police), Francisco
Castaing, said that some months back the immigration service decided it
could not take charge of foreigners like Yuderci who make it to Costa
Rica seeking asylum, the responsibility falling on the airlines to
maintain the person in custody and provising basic necessities, like food.
Castaing said the decision was based on economics that the immigration
service does not have the resources to house every such person at the
aiport detention centre.
"There was a time when the 'coyote' networks took advantage of the
situation. As soon as a foreigner arrived, there would be a lawyer
waiting for them who immediately filed an appeal. It became a serious
problem", said Castaing.
"If I am told that I have to return to Cuba it will be the saddest day
in my life", said Yuderci, adding that she prefers to suffer the
conditions and is confident that Costa Rican authorities will grant her
a stay.
http://insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2008/march/25/nac03.htm
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