Fact Check: Noem claims Guatemala will grant refugee status to U.S.-sent individuals.

Fact Check: Noem claims Guatemala will grant refugee status to U.S.-sent individuals

What We Know

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently stated that Guatemala, along with Honduras, has signed agreements with the United States to potentially offer refuge to individuals from other countries who would otherwise seek asylum in the U.S. Noem claimed, “Honduras and now Guatemala after today will be countries that will take those individuals and give them refugee status as well” (AP News). However, both the Guatemalan and Honduran governments have publicly denied signing any such agreements that would allow them to grant refugee status to individuals sent from the U.S. The Guatemalan presidential communications office clarified that no safe third-country agreement or immigration-related agreement was signed during Noem's visit, and that Guatemala would only serve as a temporary stop for Central Americans being returned to their home countries (US News).

Analysis

The claim made by Noem is contradicted by official statements from the governments of Guatemala and Honduras. Both countries have denied the existence of any agreements that would allow them to grant refugee status to U.S.-sent individuals. The Guatemalan government specifically stated that it would only receive Central Americans sent by the U.S. as a temporary measure, not as a permanent solution or a means to provide asylum (Washington Examiner).

The agreements referenced by Noem appear to be part of a broader strategy to manage migration and asylum claims but do not equate to granting refugee status. The context of these agreements is rooted in the Trump administration's efforts to limit asylum access in the U.S. by shifting the responsibility to Central American countries, which have their own significant challenges regarding asylum systems and resources (ABC News).

Furthermore, the reliability of Noem's statements is questionable given the immediate pushback from the governments involved. The lack of corroborating evidence from credible sources, alongside the clear denials from Guatemala and Honduras, suggests that Noem's claims may be politically motivated rather than factually accurate.

Conclusion

The claim that Guatemala will grant refugee status to individuals sent from the U.S. is False. Official statements from both Guatemala and Honduras refute Noem's assertion, indicating that no such agreements exist that would allow these countries to provide refugee status to U.S.-sent individuals. Instead, these nations are positioned to act only as temporary transit points for migrants being returned to their home countries.

Fact Check: Noem claims Guatemala will grant refugee status to U.S.-sent individuals.