Posted: Monday, October 20, 2025. 4:12 pm CST.
By Aaron Humes: The Government of Belize has officially signed a Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States, aimed at enhancing cooperation regarding the examination of protection requests. The agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony attended by Francis Fonseca, Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture and Immigration, and Katharine Beamer, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Belize.
This landmark agreement is rooted in commitments made under the 1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees and underscores Belize’s dedication to international law and humanitarian principles. As part of the agreement, Belize will maintain strict national safeguards, including an absolute veto over the transfer of individuals, regulations on the nationalities of transferees, and a cap on the number of persons allowed entry. Comprehensive security screenings will also be implemented to ensure that no individual deemed a threat to public safety or national security is permitted to enter or remain in the country.
In addition to these provisions, the United States has pledged to offer financial and technical assistance upon request to bolster Belize’s migration and asylum management systems.
Before coming into effect, the agreement must be ratified by Belize’s Senate and operational procedures must be established, ensuring compliance with both the nation’s constitutional and international commitments. Initially, the agreement will remain in effect for two years, with the option for either party to terminate it.
The signing of this agreement reiterates Belize’s role as a responsible and cooperative member of the international community, balancing its humanitarian obligations with the need to protect national security and sovereignty.
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The post Belize and the United States ink safe third country agreement appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Monday, October 20, 2025. 4:12 pm CST. By Aaron Humes: The Government of Belize has officially signed a Safe Third Country Agreement with the United
The post Belize and the United States ink safe third country agreement appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.