The government of Belize has entered into an agreement with the United States to serve as a “safe third country” for migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. Prime Minister John Antonio Briceño announced that the deal requires approval from the Belize Senate and will allow migrants deported from the U.S. to apply for asylum in Belize rather than being sent back to their home countries.
The U.S. State Department has referred to this agreement as a significant step towards addressing illegal immigration and curbing abuses of the U.S. asylum system. This arrangement is reportedly similar to another agreement made with Paraguay in August. In addition, countries such as Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Honduras have also accepted individuals deported by the U.S. this year.
Human rights organizations have expressed concerns regarding such agreements, arguing that they may place migrants in jeopardy by sending them to countries where they could face harm. In response to these concerns, Belize’s ministry of foreign affairs stated that the agreement includes security measures to ensure national security and sovereignty. The agreement purportedly grants Belize the authority to approve or reject transfers, places limits on eligibility based on nationality, and mandates comprehensive background checks.
Prime Minister Briceño characterized the deal as potentially beneficial for Belize, suggesting it could act as a job program for individuals with certain qualifications to contribute to the economy. He indicated that Belize would prioritize migrants from Central America and was not looking to accept people from all over the world.
However, opposition leader Tracy Taegar Panton raised concerns about the potential impact of the agreement, noting it could alter Belize’s immigration and asylum systems and raise questions about national sovereignty and financial costs for taxpayers. Further specifics about the agreement have not yet been disclosed.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07mze191xko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss