Government Agrees in Principle for Belize to Serve as Safe Third Country in U.S. Migration Plan

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Francis Fonseca, addressed the chamber on the Government of Belize’s decision to agree in principle to the United States’ request for Belize to serve as a Safe Third Country under a forthcoming bilateral migration arrangement.  Minister Fonseca clarified that while Cabinet has agreed to move forward with the proposal, the process remains in its early stages and will require formal approval by the Senate before any agreement can be finalized or implemented. He stressed that even after Senate endorsement, the operational rollout of the Safe Third Country framework would not take effect immediately, as it must undergo detailed legal and administrative review to ensure that Belize’s national interests and humanitarian standards are fully protected.

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Min. of Foreign Affairs :” The agreement we are finalizing with the United States is such a framework for cooperation.  It rests firmly on our international legal obligations.  Under this agreement, asylum seekers in the United States could be transferred to Belize for the determination of their claim.  The agreement we are finalizing contains multiple safeguards to protect the interests and security of Belize including an unqualified veto over who is transferred to Belize, restrictions on the nationalities that could be transferred, a cap  on the total transferees per annum, consideration of criminal records and professional  skills.  The agreement is for two years in the first instance and either party  can terminate or suspend at any time by providing written notice.  Government insisted on these safeguards.  We felt that they were necessary  given capacity constraints to manage and support asylum seekers,  given national security considerations  and the unique characteristics of our small  country. The agreement also provides, upon request, financial and technical support  to strengthen the institutional capacities of the Government of Belize.  We are satisfied that the agreement  aligns with our international obligations and can be effectively implemented from an operational point of view.  Adjustments will be required to relevant legislation. What I can say further is that the agreement cannot come into force  until and unless  domestic legal procedures  have been complied with.  Which means Mr. Speaker, in accordance with Section 61A2 of the Constitution of Belize,  the agreement once entered into  will have to be ratified by the Senate.  I need to make the point that this is how treaty arrangements are done for obvious reasons and this is a well-established practice recognized in the law.”

Minister Fonseca explained that the proposed agreement, modeled after international best practices, would establish cooperation mechanisms between Belize and the United States to manage the movement and processing of asylum seekers transiting through the region. He emphasized that Belize’s participation would be guided by principles of fairness, sovereignty, and respect for international law, ensuring that the country does not bear a disproportionate burden in migration management.  He added that while Belize is open to working with its partners, including the United States, implementation will proceed cautiously and transparently, with ongoing consultations to guarantee that the framework serves the best interests of the Belizean people.