New U.S. Ambassador pressed on extent of migrant transfers to Belize: ‘Give me a couple days’

By Breaking Belize News Staff: Newly arrived United States Ambassador André Bauer says he needs additional briefing before he can speak authoritatively about the controversial agreement allowing the United States to transfer certain asylum seekers to Belize.

Bauer was questioned on Friday about the extent to which the United States has already utilized the arrangement and whether its use could increase.

“I haven’t been briefed directly on that,” Bauer acknowledged, saying he had only recently read about developments involving the agreement.

Belize and the United States signed the Agreement for Cooperation Regarding the Examination of Protection Requests on October 20, 2025. The agreement was subsequently published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the Federal Register in March 2026.

Under the agreement, the United States may propose transferring certain asylum seekers from Central American countries, excluding Guatemala, and CARICOM member states to Belize. Belize retains discretion over whether to accept proposed transfers, while unaccompanied minors and Belizean nationals are excluded.

The Belize Government said when the agreement was signed that it would include a cap on transferees and security screening. Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca subsequently said Belize’s position was that the number should not exceed 10 people per year.

By late July, Belizean authorities had publicly confirmed the first transfers under the agreement, with at least eight people transferred to Belize.

Bauer indicated Friday that he understood the arrangement had not yet reached the maximum number contemplated by Belize.

However, when pressed for figures and details, he declined to speculate.

“I don’t have semantics on those very things,” Bauer said. “I’m sure I’ll get briefed in the near future… Give me just a couple days.”

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