The United States and Belize have signed a “safe third country” agreement, allowing the transfer of asylum seekers to the Central American nation.
Announced on Monday, the deal aligns with the Trump administration’s efforts to limit asylum applications and expand deportation policies.
It requires Belize Senate approval and includes financial and technical aid to enhance Belize’s asylum and border systems.
The agreement is part of a broader U.S. push to redirect migrants to third-party countries, a tactic critics argue undermines international humanitarian law.
Belize emphasized its veto power over transfers, with restrictions on nationalities, a cap on transferees, and strict security screenings.
The U.S. State Department called it a milestone in curbing illegal immigration and reforming the asylum system.
Critics, including Belize opposition leader Tracy Taegar Panton, question Belize’s capacity to provide adequate protections, citing underfunded systems.
Panton warned the deal could strain national resources and compromise sovereignty.
Debate Over Safety and Capacity
Concerns persist about the safety of deportees in third countries, with reports of abusive conditions in nations like Eswatini and South Sudan.
Belize insists no individual posing a public safety threat will be admitted, aiming to uphold humanitarian principles.
The agreement’s details remain unclear, but it reflects a growing trend of U.S. deportation deals with countries like Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala.
Panton argued Belize’s immigration system is overwhelmed, raising doubts about its ability to meet the deal’s demands.
The policy’s critics contend such agreements risk eroding protections for asylum seekers, potentially exposing them to persecution in vulnerable regions.