Prime Minister Gaston Browne
The government is pledging to make a full public announcement before any decision is taken to activate its refugee agreement with the United States, as it moves to clarify the status of the non-binding understanding.
In a statement released Friday, the government emphasized that “this Understanding has not yet been operationalized” and that “no arrangements of any kind have been put in place by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda or any of its agencies to receive third-country nationals from the United States or from any other country.”
Officials say the only current movement of non-nationals into Antigua and Barbuda is through free movement within the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and eligible applicants under the reciprocal CARICOM Skills Qualification Certificate programme.
The understanding will only become operational “when a critical mass of countries join the process,” according to the statement. Some CARICOM countries have already joined, and Antigua and Barbuda’s participation “will proceed strictly in accordance with its national laws, institutional capacity, and the explicit approval of the Government.”
Under the proposed terms, the United States may propose case-by-case transfers of non-criminal third-country nationals, “particularly persons seeking refuge from return to their own countries where they face grave conditions.”
However, the government stressed that “in every single case, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda retains the absolute right of refusal, based on national interest and security considerations.”
The statement made clear that “no third-country national can be transferred to Antigua and Barbuda without the prior assessment, approval, and express consent of the Government. There is no automatic acceptance, no obligation, and no delegation of authority.”
The government has “strictly capped any potential acceptances under this Understanding at no more than ten (10) persons per year.”
Officials noted that the understanding “is non-binding, creates no legal obligations, and may be terminated at any time with ninety (90) days’ written notice.”
The statement described the agreement as part of an effort by many countries to help share the burden of the world’s largest refugee resettlement programme in a “cooperative and orderly manner, in accordance with their respective capacities.”
The government assured the public that “before any decision is taken to operationalize this Understanding, a full public announcement will be made, outlining safeguards and procedures that will be employed.”
Mr. Browne, why is their such an agreement in the first place?
We are only 108 square miles. United States of America is 3.8 million square miles. So, why Antigua?
A desperate man would do anything for survival. Are you planning to use my tax money to support Americans refugees? Or will they run wild to further increase our crime rate?
I am so livid that words can not express my anger!
Please retract your decision! Yes, the promised made 3 months ago.
Ms initial transparent go ask trump u sound like is our prime miniter that has to speak for the whole Caribbean.Go read your Bible and u will see what’s going on time for us to pray more hard and ask for forgiveness and learn to love one another nobody can stop what is going on the bible is full filling stop hating and try to love your brothers and sister
The fact of the matter is WE DO NOT TRUST THIS COMPULSIVE LIER any longer!!
I understand humaniterian issues, but Antigua is a small place with limited resourses. We simply do not have the infrastructure for refegees/deportees, especially the criminal elements. How many unsolved crimes on the books in Antigua? Far too many
Ms initial transparent go ask trump u sound like is our prime miniter that has to speak for the whole Caribbean.Go read your Bible and u will see what’s going on time for us to pray more hard and ask for forgiveness and learn to love one another nobody can stop what is going on the bible is full filling stop hating and try to love your brothers and sister
CARICOM free movement already exists, so this isn’t anything new in principle
Social media had this blown way out of proportion. Facts matter
Antigua small. Even ten people need proper screening. We can’t afford mistakes