US signs new Safe Third Country Agreement with Paraguay

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday announced that the United States and Paraguay have signed a new asylum deal that allows migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. to take refuge in the South American country instead. 

The two countries signed a Safe Third Country Agreement that requires asylum seekers to apply for protection in the first country they enter, such as Paraguay which is usually closer than the United States, instead of their desired destination. 

Rubio claimed the new agreement will help cut back on abuses of the U.S. asylum system, and allows other countries to help shoulder the burden of caring for a massive influx of migrants.

"[President Trump] will no longer allow the U.S. asylum system to be abused," Rubio posted on X. "Today’s signing of a Safe Third Country Agreement with Paraguay allows asylum seekers in the United States to pursue their protection claims in Paraguay. We thank President Santiago Peña for his leadership in combating illegal immigration and partnering to create a more secure hemisphere."

The agreement is part of a broader strategic partnership between the two countries on security, diplomacy and economic initiatives.

The United States has also reached asylum agreements with other countries, including Canada, Honduras and Guatemala.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.