The government of St. Kitts and Nevis has moved to clarify its position on the exclusion of Haiti from a recently signed U.S. agreement on relocating third-country nationals. Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew emphasized that the decision reflects national security and capacity constraints, not a rejection of the Haitian people.
Speaking on the Issues Programme on Freedom FM on Jan. 21, Dr. Drew highlighted his administration’s long-standing humanitarian approach toward Haiti. “We are very accepting and progressive towards Haitians,” he said, noting that St. Kitts and Nevis has one of the largest per capita Haitian populations in the Caribbean, providing free access to education, healthcare, and social support despite the nation’s limited resources.
The Prime Minister contrasted his administration’s approach with that of the previous government. “In 2019, under the former administration, Haitians were deported, including pregnant women and a child. We have taken the position that we will never do that,” Drew said, emphasizing that his government prioritizes the protection of vulnerable individuals.
He reiterated that the exclusion of Haiti from the Memorandum of Understanding with the United States—allowing the relocation of third-country nationals currently in U.S. custody—is strictly a security and logistical matter. Transfers under the agreement are limited to nationals of CARICOM states, and St. Kitts and Nevis retains full discretion over which cases are accepted.
“When children and pregnant women arrived here, my decision was clear,” Drew said. “Get the pregnant women to the hospital immediately. Get the children checked. We are not deporting them.”
Dr. Drew concluded that the government remains committed to supporting Haiti’s long-term stability through regional and international mechanisms, underscoring that the country’s humanitarian record toward Haitian nationals remains strong and progressive.
