The United States has reached an agreement with the Commonwealth of Dominica that could allow for the transfer of some asylum seekers arriving at U.S. borders to the small Caribbean nation, according to reports from The Associated Press.

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has described the arrangement as “one of the primary areas of collaboration” between the two governments. The agreement comes in the wake of partial visa limitations on Dominican nationals announced by the White House on December 16, which are set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

While confirming ongoing discussions with U.S. officials, Skerrit has declined to provide specific details about how many asylum seekers might be transferred to Dominica or when such transfers would begin. He emphasized that the talks have included “careful deliberations of the need to avoid receiving violent individuals or individuals who will compromise the security of Dominica,” highlighting concerns about maintaining public safety.

The Dominican government has been actively addressing the broader issue of U.S. travel restrictions, stating that it “continues its engagement with the United States Embassy in Bridgetown and the State Department in Washington” in efforts to reverse the White House decision. Officials have clarified that Dominican nationals with valid U.S. visas—including tourist, business, and student categories—can continue to travel to the United States and its territories as normal.

The reported agreement with Dominica appears to follow a pattern of similar arrangements the Trump administration has pursued with countries such as Belize and Paraguay. These efforts reflect a broader strategy to distribute responsibility for asylum seekers across multiple nations rather than concentrating it within the United States.

The plan has faced scrutiny from Dominica’s political opposition. Thomson Fontaine, leader of the main opposition party, has expressed concerns about the lack of transparency regarding implementation details. “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,” Fontaine told the AP.

These concerns carry particular weight given Dominica’s limited resources. With a population of approximately 72,000, the island nation faces significant questions about its capacity to absorb and support asylum seekers. Opposition figures have highlighted the potential strain on the country’s infrastructure, housing, and social services systems.

The agreement comes at a time when immigration policy remains a contentious issue in U.S. politics. The Trump administration has consistently sought arrangements with other countries to share in managing migration flows, reflecting its emphasis on reducing the number of asylum seekers entering the United States directly.

Immigration experts note that similar third-country agreements have faced implementation challenges in the past. Questions about legal protections for asylum seekers, living conditions, economic opportunities, and integration support often arise when smaller nations accept migrants under such arrangements.

For Dominica, a nation primarily known for its natural beauty, eco-tourism, and recovery efforts following devastating hurricanes in recent years, the agreement represents a significant new commitment. The country’s government will need to develop systems for receiving, processing, and supporting individuals transferred under this agreement.

As discussions continue, both governments have remained relatively tight-lipped about the specific timeline for implementation and operational details. Officials have yet to clarify criteria for determining which asylum seekers might be transferred to Dominica or what legal status they would hold once there.