U.S. Forges Asylum Transfer Deal with Dominica Amid Travel Restrictions

The United States has reportedly struck an agreement with the Commonwealth of Dominica, potentially allowing asylum seekers arriving at the U.S. border to be transferred to the Caribbean island nation. This development, reported by The Associated Press, emerges as the U.S. also implements partial travel restrictions on Dominican nationals.

Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has characterized this agreement as a "primary area of collaboration" between the two governments, following discussions with U.S. officials regarding visa limitations announced on December 16. While Skerrit confirmed ongoing talks, he refrained from disclosing specific details on the number of asylum seekers to be transferred or the timeline for these transfers.

Prime Minister Skerrit emphasized "careful deliberations of the need to avoid receiving violent individuals or individuals who will compromise the security of Dominica," reflecting the island nation's public safety concerns regarding the arrangement.

Simon Hankinson, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, highlighted the "vital" role such third-party agreements play in U.S. national security, particularly regarding deportations. These agreements are part of a broader Trump administration strategy to accelerate mass removals and encourage other nations to share responsibility for asylum seekers, a policy also seen in pacts with countries like Belize and Paraguay.

The agreement comes in the shadow of U.S. entry restrictions imposed on Dominican nationals, set to take effect on January 1, 2026. Dominica's government has publicly stated its "continues its engagement with the United States Embassy in Bridgetown and the State Department in Washington… in an effort to reverse a decision announced by the White House to impose partial travel restrictions on Dominican nationals."

Despite the restrictions, the government clarified that Dominican nationals holding valid U.S. visas across various categories can continue to travel to the U.S. and its territories as per customary immigration laws.

Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit faces opposition criticism over U.S. asylum agreement (Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica)

The flag of Dominica is photographed against a clear sky. (Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The agreement has drawn criticism from Dominica's political opposition. Thomson Fontaine, leader of the main opposition party, expressed concerns to the AP, stating, "the prime minister still has not told the Dominican public what exactly he has agreed to, in terms of the numbers of persons that are going to come to Dominica, where will they be housed, how will they be taken care of."

With Dominica's population standing at approximately 72,000, Fontaine articulated concerns about the island's capacity and resources to adequately accommodate an influx of asylum seekers.

A whale mural by Marcus Cuffi is photographed along a street in Roseau, Dominica, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Clyde K Jno-Baptiste)

While discussions are ongoing, officials have remained tight-lipped about the precise commencement date or the operational specifics of the plan.