Antigua and Barbuda, US continue talks on third-country deportee deal
Key Points(5)
- The governments of Antigua and Barbuda and the United States remain in discussions over a proposed arrangement for the Caribbean nation to accept third-country nationals deported from the US.
- Director-General of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister Maurice Merchant said the negotiations remain a “work in progress” as the two governments seek to reach an agreement.
- Speaking to reporters following the weekly Cabinet meeting, Merchant, who also serves as the official Cabinet spokesperson, said Antigua and Barbuda is willing to assist Washington but has conditions that must be addressed before any deal is finalized.
- “Antigua and Barbuda values the relationship that we have with the United States and are prepared to assist the United States in this regard,” Merchant said.
- He said there are specific stipulations attached to any potential arrangement and discussions on those issues are continuing.
The governments of Antigua and Barbuda and the United States remain in discussions over a proposed arrangement for the Caribbean nation to accept third-country nationals deported from the US.
Director-General of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister Maurice Merchant said the negotiations remain a “work in progress” as the two governments seek to reach an agreement.
Speaking to reporters following the weekly Cabinet meeting, Merchant, who also serves as the official Cabinet spokesperson, said Antigua and Barbuda is willing to assist Washington but has conditions that must be addressed before any deal is finalized.
“Antigua and Barbuda values the relationship that we have with the United States and are prepared to assist the United States in this regard,” Merchant said.
He said there are specific stipulations attached to any potential arrangement and discussions on those issues are continuing.
According to Merchant, once the outstanding matters are resolved and an agreement is reached, the government would be in a position to move forward.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne previously said his government had agreed to accept up to 10 third-country nationals annually under strict conditions. Those conditions include background checks for criminal activity and requirements that individuals sent to Antigua and Barbuda possess the necessary travel documents.
Browne has also said the United States had sought an arrangement under which Antigua and Barbuda could accept as many as 120 deportees without sufficient guarantees, a risk he said his administration was unwilling to take.
The discussions come as other Caribbean governments consider similar arrangements with Washington.
Late last month, St Lucia announced that it would begin receiving third-country nationals from the United States in September, starting with six people, including five men.
Under the arrangement, St Lucia is expected to receive up to 10 people per quarter over the next two years.
“The United States remains a strong and valued partner to St Lucia. Our relationship is built on cooperation and a shared commitment to addressing regional and international challenges responsibly,” St Lucia’s Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs Minister Alva Baptiste said.
