Dominica was one of 15 countries that tightened restrictions on entry to the United States in December, when President Donald Trump sought to “increase US security.” The small island’s government therefore sees the newly signed agreement as an important step toward better relations with the United States.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, who announced that the agreement is complete, has not said when Dominica will begin accepting asylum seekers.
However, he says the country negotiated not to accept people who could pose a security risk to Dominica.
The Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, located just north of Dominica, has also signed a similar agreement, Antigua and Barbuda announced on Monday.
Belize, Paraguay and Guatemala, among others, have previously had agreements with the United States under which asylum seekers should seek protection in those countries before reaching the United States.
