At US-ILC, we listen, we care, we deliver: Let our 89 years of combined experience help you navigate the complexities of immigration law.
Belize, a small Central American country bordering Mexico, has entered into a Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States. Under this agreement, some individuals seeking asylum in the United States will be transferred to Belize, where they can apply for protection and legal status. In exchange, the United States will provide technical and financial assistance to help Belize strengthen its asylum system.
A Safe Third Country Agreement
A Safe Third Country Agreement is a legal treaty that requires individuals fleeing persecution to apply for asylum in the first safe country they enter, instead of proceeding to another country to make their claim. These agreements also allow a country to transfer asylum seekers to a designated third country considered safe for refugees. The United States has established STCAs with specific countries to better monitor and manage refugees at the borders and reduce the number of asylum seekers in the country. Refugees may only be transferred to the third country if they are not deemed a security risk to its residents.
Rules and Criteria for Safe Third Country Designation
- A third country must be considered a “safe” place where refugees will not face torture or additional persecution
- The third country must be committed to protecting human rights
- An agreement must exist between both countries regarding refugees
- The asylum seekers must have access to a fair process in the third country
- The third country cannot return asylum seekers to a country where they will be persecuted
Other Countries With Safe Third Country Agreements With the U.S.
In addition to Belize, several other countries have signed Safe Third Country Agreements with the United States, including the following:
- Paraguay
- Guatemala
- El Salvador
- Panama
- Costa Rica
- Honduras
Additionally, Mexico, Rwanda, South Sudan, Eswatini (Swaziland), and Uganda have established informal Safe Third Country Agreements with the United States. Canada also has a special Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States related to land borders, which requires asylum applicants to seek protection in the first of the two countries they enter.
While the Trump administration has claimed that having STCAs with other countries help to stop nonimmigrants from abusing the U.S.’ asylum program, the policy has faced ongoing criticism.
Many refugee advocates contend that such agreements make it more difficult for migrants to apply for asylum in the United States. Others argue that the designated third countries often fail to meet the necessary safety standards for migrants.
If you are an asylum seeker who would like to discuss the United States’ Safe Third Country Agreement, or if you have questions regarding another immigration matter, contact U.S. Immigration Law Counsel for a strategy session to discuss your case.
