Please find attached two documents that refer to lawsuits initiated in Texas courts against chemical pesticide manufacturers and banana growers. The attached San Francisco Chronicle article states that the suit "lists 16,000 plaintiffs from 12 countries half from Costa Rica" (15 Mar. 1994). The Central America Report article provides the most recent reference to the status of the lawsuit currently available to the DIRB (27 May 1994). A third attachment refers to a class action initiated in Texas against three chemical companies by workers from a Costa Rican banana plantation (Houston Chronicle 11 Feb. 1993).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Central America Report [Guatemala City]. 27 May 1994. "Costa Rica: Banana Workers Strike."

Houston Chronicle. 11 February 1993. David Ivanovich. "Costa Rican Workers Sue 3 Chemical Firms." (Central America NewsPak [Austin, Tex.] 8-21 Feb. 1993, p. 3)

San Francisco Chronicle. 15 March 1994. David Scanlan. "Sterilized Banana Workers File Suit." (Central America NewsPak [Austin, Tex.] 21 Mar.-3 Apr. 1994, pp. 1-2)

Central America Report [Guatemala City]. 27 May 1994. "Costa Rica: Banana Workers Strike," p. 7.

Houston Chronicle. 11 February 1993. David Ivanovich. "Costa Rican Workers Sue 3 Chemical Firms." (Central America NewsPak [Austin, Tex.] 8-21 Feb. 1993, p. 3)

San Francisco Chronicle. 15 March 1994. David Scanlan. "Sterilized Banana Workers File Suit." (Central America NewsPak [Austin, Tex.] 21 Mar.-3 Apr. 1994, pp. 1-2)