Belize has received its first group of deportees under its Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States, with eight people transferred to the country during July.

The Belize Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade announced on July 30 that the agreement, which was entered into in November 2025, has officially come into operation, confirming the first transfers were carried out during the month.

Love FM Belize reported among the third country nationals were four Haitians, one Nicaraguan, one Salvadoran and one Honduran.

According to the ministry, the transfers were coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Immigration after the required national and international reviews and clearances were completed.

Under the agreement, eligible third-country nationals seeking protection in the United States can be transferred to Belize on a case-by-case basis for their protection requests to be examined.

The Belize government said it retains full discretion to accept or decline any transfer request.

The United States has entered into multiple Safe Third Country agreements with countries around the world as part of its immigration policy.

In the Caribbean, such arrangements are in place with Belize, Jamaica, Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis.
St Kitts and Nevis has already accepted three people under its agreement with the United States—two Jamaicans and one Belizean.

Antigua and Barbuda said it recently tabled in a white paper in Parliament after it was approached to accept third country nationals.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne said while Antigua and Barbuda was willing to take some third country deportees, there needed to be some assurances including money to finance housing and limits on how many people they would accept.

Belize said it will continue implementing the agreement in accordance with its domestic laws and international obligations.