1.   She added that humanitarian visas are given to people outside the country who cannot immigrate under other circumstances.

2.   The girls arrived with a humanitarian visa.

3.   The group was initially detained by local authorities, but Hernandez and his common-law wife acquired humanitarian visas and took up residence in Costa Rica.

4.   Amid the uproar, the government indefinitely suspended issuance of humanitarian visas.

5.   Costa Rica has granted humanitarian visas for the eight, and Cubas is seeking asylum for the refugees in the Dominican Republic.

6.   Humanitarian visas normally are free and are requested by government or church officials who act as sponsors for the immigrants.

7.   In June, they applied to the INS for humanitarian visas.

8.   Instead, they are usually returned to Cuba, but some are resettled in third countries or in high profile cases humanitarian visas are granted.

9.   On Monday, the four Cuban players and five friends asked for humanitarian visas in a letter Monday to Costa Rican President Jose Maria Figueres.

10.   Rene Guim, spokesman for sports agent Cubas, said efforts were under way to secure humanitarian visas for the nine Cubans.