Guyana receives first US deportees under third-country program
Key Points(5)
- Guyana has received its first group of deportees from the United States under the Trump administration's third-country deportation program, following months of negotiations between the two governments.
- Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud said Saturday that six nationals of Cuba and Afghanistan arrived in the South American country on Friday after being vetted by Guyanese authorities and found to have no criminal backgrounds.
- Persaud said the six were removed from the United States primarily for immigration-related reasons.
- The arrangement between Guyana and the United States will remain in effect for one year and does not constitute permanent resettlement, he told The Associated Press.
- Persaud said the US has made no further requests for Guyana to receive additional deportees.
Guyana has received its first group of deportees from the United States under the Trump administration's third-country deportation program, following months of negotiations between the two governments.
Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud said Saturday that six nationals of Cuba and Afghanistan arrived in the South American country on Friday after being vetted by Guyanese authorities and found to have no criminal backgrounds.
Persaud said the six were removed from the United States primarily for immigration-related reasons.
The arrangement between Guyana and the United States will remain in effect for one year and does not constitute permanent resettlement, he told The Associated Press. Persaud said the US has made no further requests for Guyana to receive additional deportees.
The arrivals follow the government's recent announcement that it had reached a migration cooperation framework with the United States to receive a limited number of vetted, non-criminal individuals.
Under the arrangement, those transferred to Guyana through the Assisted Voluntary Return Program will remain in the country while awaiting a determination on their immigration status.
They could eventually return to their countries of origin or relocate elsewhere.
The United Nations' International Organization for Migration (IOM) is responsible for implementing the program, including providing housing and other support. Guyanese authorities have said the government will not bear the financial costs associated with the arrangement.
Guyana is the latest member of the 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to receive people deported from the United States under third-country arrangements.
St. Kitts and Nevis and Belize have also received small groups, while St. Lucia was expected to accept its first group this week, according to officials.
