Dominica Agrees to Accept U.S. Asylum Seekers Amid Expanded Deportation Agreements
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — The United States has reached a significant agreement with the Commonwealth of Dominica that could see some asylum seekers arriving at the U.S. border transferred to the Caribbean nation, marking the latest development in President Donald Trump’s expanding strategy to relocate asylum processing outside U.S. territory. This move follows similar arrangements with Belize and Paraguay, reflecting a broader push to share the burden of asylum seekers with third-party countries.
Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit described the pact as “one of the primary areas of collaboration” between his government and Washington, underscoring ongoing diplomatic engagement following the White House’s imposition of partial visa restrictions on Dominican nationals effective January 1, 2026. While Skerrit declined to specify the number of asylum seekers who might be transferred or when the program would begin, he emphasized that discussions have included “careful deliberations of the need to avoid receiving violent individuals or individuals who will compromise the security of Dominica.”
These concerns highlight the delicate balance Dominica faces as a small island nation with limited resources, navigating the complexities of international migration policy while safeguarding public safety. The government continues to engage with the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown and the Department of State in Washington, aiming to reverse some of the travel restrictions imposed on Dominican nationals. Despite the limitations, officials clarified that Dominican citizens holding valid U.S. visas—including tourist, business, and student categories—retain the ability to travel to the United States and its territories under customary immigration laws.
The agreement aligns with the Trump administration’s broader immigration policy, which has increasingly relied on partnerships with foreign governments to manage asylum seekers. Experts note that such third-party deportation deals play a “vital” role in U.S. national security by reducing unauthorized border crossings and streamlining removal processes. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has been instrumental in enforcing these policies, working closely with international counterparts.
However, the arrangement has not been without controversy. Opposition leaders in Dominica have voiced demands for greater transparency. Thomson Fontaine, leader of the main opposition party, criticized the government for withholding details about the pact’s scope and implications, stating that “the prime minister still has not told the Dominican public what exactly he has agreed to, in terms of the numbers of persons involved.”
Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to assert its commitment to reshaping immigration enforcement. This includes not only the expansion of deportation agreements with countries like Belize, Paraguay, and now Dominica but also the maintenance of targeted visa restrictions aimed at curbing irregular migration. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency remains a key player in executing these policies, coordinating removals and transfers under the new framework.
As the United States pursues these international arrangements, questions linger about the humanitarian and logistical challenges they pose. Advocates urge careful monitoring to ensure that asylum seekers’ rights are respected and that receiving countries are adequately supported. For Dominica, the new agreement represents both an opportunity for closer ties with the United States and a complex test of its capacity to manage migration flows in a manner consistent with its national interests and security.
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