US Belize Sign Safe Third Country Asylum Agreement

The United States and Belize have signed a "safe third country" agreement allowing the U.S. to transfer asylum seekers to Belize instead of processing their requests on American soil, part of President Donald Trump's broader immigration strategy to curb asylum applications and expand deportations. Belize emphasizes the agreement's grounding in international law, including commitments to the 1951 Refugee Convention and humanitarian principles, with safeguards such as veto power over transfers, restrictions on nationalities, caps on transferees, and comprehensive security screenings. The U.S. has pledged financial and technical assistance to Belize to enhance its asylum and border management systems. While the agreement marks a significant step in regional cooperation to address immigration challenges, details about implementation, pathways to residency or citizenship for recognized refugees, and protections against chain refoulement remain to be clarified. Belize's government stresses that the agreement is a framework requiring further operational planning before activation, ensuring transfers will occur only if necessary. Critics note that such safe third country agreements are controversial as they potentially divert asylum seekers away from their intended destinations.