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U.S. and Guatemala Sign Controversial Immigration Deal Despite Widespread Opposition

HeadlineJul 29, 2019

Meanwhile, in a surprise move, the Trump administration and the Guatemalan government signed what the White House says is a “safe third country” agreement Friday—despite widespread condemnation of the plan by human rights experts and injunctions by a Guatemalan court that halted the agreement from going ahead without approval from Congress. The agreement would require asylum seekers who journey through Guatemala en route to the United States to apply for asylum in Guatemala instead of at the U.S.-Mexico border. It would primarily affect Honduran and Salvadoran migrants. The signing of the deal took place following threats from Trump last week to impose tariffs and other penalties, including a possible travel ban, on Guatemala. Legal challenges are expected in both the U.S. and Guatemala. On Saturday, hundreds of Guatemalans gathered outside the presidential palace protesting the agreement and demanding the resignation of President Jimmy Morales.

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