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News Summary
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The asylum cooperation agreement between Honduras and the United States, signed in March 2025 and effective as of July 8, 2025, remains in force as of September 2025. This agreement allows certain non-Honduran migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. to be redirected to Honduras to seek protection there. The agreement was signed in Washington and is accompanied by a Joint Implementation Plan, finalized on June 20, 2025. As of September 2025, Xiomara Castro continues to serve as the President of Honduras, while Joe Biden remains the President of the United States. Notably, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Honduras is set to expire on September 8, 2025, which will impact Honduran nationals currently benefiting from this status in the U.S. The agreement’s implementation and its effects on refugee protection and migration management in the region are ongoing, with no reported amendments or additions to the Joint Implementation Plan since its signing.
Source: state.gov-Treaties: Text of Treaties and Agreements Published in TIAS
Our Commentary
Background and Context
The Honduras-U.S. asylum cooperation agreement is part of a broader regional approach to migration management in Central America. This agreement follows similar arrangements with other countries in the region, reflecting the U.S. strategy to address asylum claims closer to migrants’ countries of origin. The context of this agreement includes ongoing challenges with irregular migration flows from Central America to the United States and efforts to create a more coordinated response to refugee protection needs.
Expert Analysis
The continuation of this agreement under the presidencies of Xiomara Castro and Joe Biden suggests a degree of bipartisan support for this approach to asylum processing. However, the lack of publicly available data on the agreement’s implementation makes it difficult to assess its effectiveness or impact on asylum seekers. The upcoming expiration of TPS for Hondurans in the U.S. adds another layer of complexity to the migration dynamics between the two countries.
Key points:
- The agreement allows for the transfer of certain asylum seekers from the U.S. to Honduras
- Implementation details remain largely undisclosed
- The agreement coincides with changes in protected status for Hondurans in the U.S.
Additional Data and Fact Reinforcement
While specific outcomes of the agreement are not publicly available, some key facts can be reinforced:
- The agreement entered into force on July 8, 2025
- The Joint Implementation Plan was signed on June 20, 2025
- TPS for Hondurans in the U.S. will end on September 8, 2025
Related News
This agreement exists within the context of broader U.S. engagement in Central America. While no new similar agreements have been reported with other Central American countries since April 2024, ongoing trade missions and business conferences in the region indicate continued efforts to strengthen economic ties. The existing CAFTA-DR agreement remains a cornerstone of U.S.-Central American economic relations.
Summary
The Honduras-U.S. asylum cooperation agreement represents a significant shift in regional asylum processing. While its full impact remains to be seen, it underscores the complex interplay between migration policy, diplomatic relations, and economic considerations in the Americas. As implementation continues, close monitoring will be essential to understand its effects on asylum seekers and broader migration patterns in the region.
