Washington CNN  — 

The US and Guatemala signed an agreement last week that would limit the ability of some Central American migrants to claim asylum in the US.

The agreement, which was provided Thursday by the Department of Homeland Security, commits Guatemala to extend asylum to migrants who seek it when they’re moving through the country. Migrants who still decide to journey to the US to claim asylum will be returned to Guatemala, according to acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan.

During a news conference in Guatemala Thursday, McAleenan said the asylum agreement the US struck with Guatemala will send a message, while assuring the country that it would not be “overwhelmed.”

Read the English-language agreement here:

Guatemala asylum agreement