Saint Lucia accepts first 6 US migrant transfers, rejects 4 others

Saint Lucia has received six foreign nationals transferred from the United States under its third-country nationals agreement with Washington, while rejecting four others initially proposed for relocation, the government said Monday.

Foreign Affairs Minister Alva Baptiste confirmed the arrivals during the government’s weekly Cabinet press briefing, saying the United States had initially submitted 10 people for consideration but Saint Lucia did not approve all of them.

“I wish to emphasize that under the agreement with the US, St. Lucia retains full discretion to review and reject any individual proposed for relocation, and in this first case, St. Lucia did not accept all 10 individuals that the US had submitted,” Baptiste said.

The minister did not disclose the nationalities of the six people accepted by Saint Lucia or provide details about the four who were rejected.

Baptiste said the transfer and reception of the six migrants went smoothly and insisted that government assessments had found no indication that they posed a threat to public safety or national security.

“They are certainly not criminals, as has been portrayed in some circles,” Baptiste said. “These are people who have experienced an out-of-the-ordinary difficulty and in very, very trying circumstances in relation to the status in the United States and who are now seeking an opportunity to rebuild their lives.”

Under the agreement, Saint Lucia is expected to receive up to 10 third-country nationals per quarter over the next two years.

Baptiste said the US government has committed to covering the cost of relocating the transferees, while international partners will provide additional support for those who choose to voluntarily return to their countries of origin.

Two of the six people who arrived have already expressed a desire to return home, according to Baptiste.

He said the Ministry of External Affairs is working with the relevant embassies and international partners to facilitate their voluntary repatriation.

The remaining four have indicated that they want to stay in Saint Lucia for the time being and will continue to be accommodated under arrangements established by the government and supported by international partners.

Baptiste stressed that the arrangement is temporary and does not amount to permanent resettlement in Saint Lucia.

“Their presence in St. Lucia is governed by a set of predefined terms rather than open-ended residency, and this arrangement is temporary in nature and does not constitute permanent resettlement at this juncture in time,” he said.

The minister added that voluntary repatriation would remain available to those who initially choose to stay but later decide to return to their home countries.

He said the migrants would be treated with dignity and would have regular and private access to legal representatives and family members.

Baptiste also acknowledged public debate surrounding the agreement, saying questions raised on social media and in sections of the news media were legitimate and that some concerns were “not without merit.”

However, he said the government would continue to prioritize national security while meeting its humanitarian obligations.

“We can protect our national interests, safeguard our systems, and remain vigilant about our national security while still treating vulnerable people with dignity,” Baptiste said. “That is not weakness, that is responsible leadership.”

The minister described the agreement with Washington as another expression of the longstanding partnership between Saint Lucia and the United States and said the government would provide further updates on the program as necessary.