Antigua Government to Review US Deportation List of Nationals

The government is set to thoroughly examine a list identifying individuals believed to be residing in the United States without legal authorization, specifically those American authorities have identified as citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.

Lionel Max Hurst, the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister, emphasized that this practice has been established over time in the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Hurst explained on Wednesday that this scrutiny is essential because there are often individuals on the list who may have previously lived in Antigua and Barbuda but, upon their departure to the United States, do not hold citizenship of the nation.

In such instances, he noted, the government takes proactive steps to remove these individuals from the list to ensure accuracy.

The current stance of the Trump Administration regarding these established protocols remains uncertain; however,

Hurst expressed confidence in the effectiveness of these measures, which have historically yielded positive results.

Looking ahead, the administration is hopeful about integrating some of the individuals deported back to their home country into the workforce, particularly in the construction industry.

Hurst shared his optimism, stating, “For those who are males, we aim to secure immediate employment opportunities for them in construction.

A significant number of our nationals who have migrated tend to acquire skills in this field, and we are eager to find roles that match their abilities.”

On a different note, Hurst clarified that individuals with a history of criminal activity will be subject to a distinct set of protocols.

“We approach these cases with a different treatment process, and specific arrangements are typically coordinated with local law enforcement agencies,” he explained.

According to a list disseminated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), approximately 110 nationals from Antigua and Barbuda have been identified for possible deportation, highlighting a pressing issue for the government.