Faber-Castell Accuses Costa Rica of Misusing Donated Factory for Detainees
Faber-Castell, the world's largest pencil maker, has accused the Costa Rican government of misusing a former factory that the company donated for humanitarian purposes. The facility was reportedly used to detain asylum seekers deported from the US by the Trump administration in 2025.
The Donation and Contract Terms
Faber-Castell closed its Costa Rican factory in 2013. Five years later, in 2018, the company gifted the premises to the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security. The contract explicitly specified the facility's use as a shelter for migrants and humanitarian assistance, stating that the purpose of the property could not be changed.
Allegations of Misuse: Detention of US Deportees
In 2025, the facility, which had been renamed Centro de Atención Temporal para Migrantes (Catem), reportedly began detaining 200 deportees from the US. These individuals were not Costa Rican nationals and hailed from various countries, including Russia, Asia, and Africa. The group included over 70 children, and reports indicate they were held at the Catem facility for at least two months.
Faber-Castell's Reaction
Faber-Castell stated it was unaware of the detention activities until contacted by the Guardian. Representatives of Faber-Castell's Brazilian subsidiary issued a strong statement regarding the alleged misuse:
"We agreed and stipulated in the contract that the building was to be transformed into a humanitarian refugee center, and under no circumstances was it agreed to be used as a prison."
Human Rights Concerns and Government Response
Human Rights Watch (HRW) visited the facility and subsequently concluded in a report that migrants were held for months without a legal basis for detention, despite the facility being intended for short stays. The Costa Rican government, however, denied that individuals were detained. They stated that entry was granted on humanitarian grounds for vulnerable individuals and that immigration measures aimed to protect them.
Supreme Court Intervention
In a significant development in June 2025, Costa Rica's constitutional branch of the supreme court ruled that the detention of deportees at Catem violated fundamental human rights. The court cited the use of a facility not intended for detention, unlawful deprivation of liberty, and lack of access to information and legal assistance. The decision also indicated a risk of enforced disappearance and stated that the deportees should be entitled to compensation.
Costa Rica's Supreme Court ruled that detention at Catem violated fundamental human rights, citing unlawful deprivation of liberty and a facility not intended for detention.
Current Status of Catem Facility
The Catem facility has a capacity for 300 people. In 2026, 60 people have been accommodated there. Data from January 28, 2026, indicated no migrants were present at the site.