The small Central American nation of Belize has signed an agreement with Washington to act as a safe third country for migrants as they seek asylum in the United States.
Belize PM John Antonio Briceño said the deal - which must be approved by the Belize Senate - will mean that migrants deported from the US could apply for asylum instead of returning to their home countries.
The US State Department called it an important milestone in ending illegal immigration, and shutting down abuse of the US asylum system.
The deal appears to be similar to one with Paraguay announced in August.
This year Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Honduras have also taken in people deported by the US.
Human rights groups in the US and abroad have strongly criticized such deals, saying migrants face the risk of being sent to countries where they could be harmed.
Belize's ministry of foreign affairs posted on social media that the agreement includes strict security measures to protect Belize's national security and sovereignty.
Prime Minister Briceño told local media that for Belize it will be more like a job programme, whereby people with certain qualifications can come to Belize and participate meaningfully in our economy.
But leader of the opposition, Tracy Taegar Panton, expressed grave concern about the deal, saying it could reshape Belize's immigration and asylum systems, impose new financial burdens on taxpayers, and raise serious questions about national sovereignty and security.
The US State Department stated that the agreement was an important milestone in ending illegal immigration, shutting down abuse of our nation's asylum system, and reinforcing our shared commitment to tackling challenges in our hemisphere together.
Further details of the agreement have not yet been released.
