The Trump administration reached a bilateral agreement intended to dissuade illegal immigration to the United States and establish more destinations for asylum seekers.
The State Department signed a Safe Third Country agreement with Belize, according to a Monday announcement from the Central American country’s government. While more details are to be announced, the deal will allow asylum seekers in the U.S. — many of whom entered unlawfully — to resettle in Belize and pursue their cases there.
“Thank you to the Government of Belize for signing a Safe Third Country Agreement — an important milestone in ending illegal immigration, shutting down abuse of our nation’s asylum system, and reinforcing our shared commitment to tackling challenges in our hemisphere together,” the State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs stated Monday in a social media post.
The deal follows an unprecedented campaign by the Trump administration to arrest and deport illegal migrants across the country. As the immigration crackdown continues, the White House has pressured a number of foreign governments to become a landing spot for many of the deportees who refuse or are unable to return to their home countries.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, over half a million illegal migrants have been deported and roughly 485,000 illegal migrants have been arrested by federal immigration officials, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Facing forced removal and financial incentives dangled by the Trump administration, more than two million illegal migrants have chosen to voluntarily depart.
The State Department in August reached a Safe Third Country agreement with Paraguay, and struck deportation agreements with Eswatini, Rwanda and South Sudan. Earlier this year, both Costa Rica and Panama accepted American flights carrying hundreds of deportees from Asian nations.
The Belizean government confirmed the Safe Third Country agreement, but added that it retains the privilege of rejecting individuals at its discretion.
“Belize retains an absolute veto over transfers, with restrictions on nationalities, a cap on transferees, and comprehensive security screenings,” Belizean officials stated Monday. “No person who is deemed to be a threat to the public safety or national security will be allowed to enter or stay in Belize.”
“Additionally, the United States may also provide, upon request, financial and technical assistance to enhance Belize’s migration and asylum management system,” the Central American country continued.
Not all Belizean leaders welcomed news of the Safe Third Country agreement. Tracy Panton, a member of the Belize House of Representatives and leader of the opposition, called the deal a “matter of deep national concern” in a public statement.
“While Belize must continue to play its part in promoting regional cooperation on migration and humanitarian issues, the reality is that our nation lacks the institutional capacity, financial resources, and technical systems to effectively manage the complex responsibilities that such an agreement would entail,” Panton said Monday.
The Safe Third Country agreement must be ratified by the Belizean Senate before it officially takes effect, according to the country’s press release. It will remain in effect for at least two years unless terminated by either party.
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