Belize Still Reviewing U.S. “Safe Third Country” Proposal

The Government of Belize says it is still deliberating a proposal from the United States for the country to serve as a safe third country for asylum seekers.

The arrangement would allow migrants deported from the U.S. to apply for asylum in Belize or another designated country, rather than returning to their homeland. Prime Minister John Briceño confirmed that Cabinet has given the green light for negotiations to continue, but stressed that any agreement would come with strict limits. “We are working on it. We have had discussions. We brought it to Cabinet, and the Cabinet has given the green light to continue the negotiations,” Briceño told News Five.

The U.S. has faced sharp criticism for its reliance on safe third country agreements, with human rights advocates accusing Washington of turning smaller nations into “dumping grounds” for migrants.

Critics argue that these deals undermine the right to seek asylum in the U.S. and shift the burden onto less-resourced countries. Fox News reported this week on an email from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) notifying attorneys for Kilmar Abrego Garcia that he would be deported to Eswatini, a small African nation, after claiming fear of persecution in Uganda and more than 20 other countries.

The ICE communication included Belize on the list of potential deportation destinations, fueling speculation that an agreement with Belize may already be in effect, despite the Prime Minister’s statement that negotiations are ongoing.

The Department of Homeland Security later reposted the letter on social media with a caption mocking the asylum claim: “Homie is afraid of the entire western hemisphere.”