By Belize Live News Staff: The Senate of Belize has officially ratified the Agreement for Cooperation Regarding the Examination of Protection Requests between the Government of Belize and the Government of the United States of America, with a vote of 8 in favor and 5 against.
The Agreement was originally signed by Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture and Immigration, and Ms. Katharine Beamer, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Belize.
The decision in the Senate paves the way for Belize to become a “safe third country” under a controlled framework that enables limited and regulated cooperation with the United States in processing protection requests.
Grounded in the 1951 United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees, the Agreement reinforces Belize’s adherence to international law and humanitarian principles while establishing strong national safeguards.
Belize retains an absolute veto on any transfer of asylum seekers, with restrictions on nationalities, a cap on the number of transferees, and mandatory comprehensive security screenings. No individual deemed a threat to public safety or national security will be permitted to enter or remain in the country.
Additionally, the Agreement provides for potential technical and financial assistance from the United States to strengthen Belize’s migration and asylum management systems.
The Agreement will take effect following the establishment of operational procedures and will remain valid for two years, after which either party may terminate it.
The Government described the ratification as a demonstration of Belize’s humanitarian commitment, balanced with national sovereignty and security priorities.
