CANBERRA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has announced that the United States will resettle refugees in detention centers on Nauru and Manus Island.
The one-off agreement, announced by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton on Sunday, was preceded by "months and months of planning."
There are currently 872 asylum seekers who attempted to enter Australia illegally by boat on Manus Island and 390 in Nauru's center.
Turnbull said the resettlement would only apply to the refugees currently in the detention centers.
"It's a one-off agreement,it will not be repeated," Turnbull told reporters.
"It is only available to those currently in the regional processing centers."
Turnbull said the process would not be rushed.
"There will be American officials from Homeland Security coming to Australia to begin the process in the next few days. We're not setting timelines," he said.
Dutton said that the government was in the final stages of negotiating with Nauru on a 20-year visa which will be available to those who refuse the settlement offer in the United States.
"We still rely on regional processing, which is why Nauru will remain in its current status forever," Dutton said.
"Let that be a very clear message to people that you will not step foot on Australian soil."
