Fact Check: Noem claims agreements were signed, but both countries deny it.

Fact Check: "Noem claims agreements were signed, but both countries deny it."

What We Know

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently stated that Guatemala and Honduras had signed agreements with the United States to accept asylum seekers from other countries. This claim was made during her visit to Central America, where she emphasized the need for alternatives to U.S. asylum for individuals fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries (AP News). However, both Guatemala and Honduras have publicly denied signing any such agreements. Guatemala's President Bernardo Arévalo clarified that no new immigration agreements were made during Noem's visit, asserting that the country would continue to operate under previous agreements established earlier in the year (Washington Post). Similarly, Honduras' immigration director, Wilson Paz, also denied the existence of a safe third-country agreement (AP News).

Analysis

The conflicting statements between Noem and the leaders of Guatemala and Honduras raise questions about the accuracy of her claims. Noem asserted that these agreements were crucial for providing refuge to asylum seekers, suggesting that they would allow these countries to offer refugee status (AP News). However, both countries have emphasized that they have not signed any new agreements that would allow them to accept asylum seekers from other nations. Instead, they reaffirmed their commitment to existing arrangements, which primarily involve the temporary transit of deported individuals back to their home countries (Washington Post, Devdiscourse).

The credibility of the sources involved is essential in this case. Noem, as a high-ranking U.S. official, has a vested interest in promoting U.S. immigration policy, which may influence her statements. Conversely, the responses from the leaders of Guatemala and Honduras reflect their national interests and political realities, particularly in the context of domestic pressures regarding immigration (AP News, Devdiscourse). The denial from both countries suggests a reluctance to be perceived as complicit in U.S. immigration strategies, especially given their own challenges with asylum seekers.

Conclusion

The claim that "Noem claims agreements were signed, but both countries deny it" is True. The evidence shows that while Noem asserted the existence of agreements, both Guatemala and Honduras have explicitly denied signing any new immigration-related agreements during her visit. This contradiction highlights the complexities of international immigration policy and the differing narratives presented by officials from the U.S. and Central American countries.

Fact Check: Noem claims agreements were signed, but both countries deny it.