Prime Minister Gaston Browne
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda already has a sizeable LGBTQ community and does not believe the country should be expected to accept additional LGBTQ refugees or asylum seekers under any agreement with the United States involving third-country nationals.
Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show on Saturday, Browne claimed that two of the three third-country nationals reportedly accepted by St. Kitts and Nevis under a recent arrangement with the United States identify as LGBTQ.
Using that example, the Prime Minister argued that Antigua should not be required to receive similar individuals.
“I’m told the three that were sent to St. Kitts, two of them are LGBTQIAs,” Browne said.
He continued: “We have enough of those here.”
The Prime Minister made the remarks while discussing ongoing negotiations between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States over Washington’s request that Caribbean countries accept a limited number of third-country nationals who cannot easily be returned to their countries of origin.
Browne stressed that his government’s objections extend beyond sexual orientation or gender identity, insisting that Antigua’s primary concern is ensuring that anyone accepted into the country is thoroughly vetted.
He said Antigua has insisted that no one with a criminal background be accepted and that the United States provide comprehensive medical and security information before anyone is admitted.
“We do not want people who are criminals. We don’t want people who are sick. We do not want anyone who is going to become a charge,” Browne said.
The Prime Minister argued that Antigua’s limited resources make it difficult to absorb individuals who may require long-term government support after any temporary assistance provided by the United States ends.
Deportee Talks Continue
The issue stems from discussions between Washington and several Caribbean governments over accepting third-country nationals who are unable to return to their home countries.
According to Browne, Antigua has indicated a willingness to consider accepting up to ten individuals annually, provided they are fully vetted, have no serious criminal history, and do not pose security or public health concerns.
He also said Antigua has requested that all individuals arrive with valid travel documents rather than temporary documents issued by U.S. authorities.
The Prime Minister maintained that Antigua has a sovereign responsibility to determine who enters and resides in the country and said his administration would continue negotiating conditions that protect the country’s interests.
His comments come amid wider public debate across the Caribbean over the United States’ efforts to secure agreements with regional governments to receive third-country nationals as part of its immigration enforcement strategy.
Oh… so we’re really just letting Gaston say anything now? Crazy.
Calling LGBTQ+ people “sick” and lumping them in with “criminals” isn’t leadership. It’s reckless, dehumanizing, and beneath the office of a Prime Minister! Prejudice at it’s finest.
To the LGBTQ+ community: I’m sorry that this kind of rhetoric is still being platformed. You are seen, you are valued, and you deserve dignity and respect. The irony is that the traits being projected onto them are far more reflective of the public record of THE MAN MAKING THE COMMENTS than of the people he’s targeting.
Leadership should unite people! We can have conversations about immigration, deportation, and national policy without demonizing an entire community. People should be judged by their character and their actions, not by who they are or who they love.
Mr PM I agree with you
So why the own country rejected them??????
Good morning 🌞. Accepting deportees from the US shouldn’t just be a Cabinet decision. Before giving the American government the green light, our government needs to hold town hall meetings in every constituency to listen to the people. Yes, we voted for this government to run the country, but the people’s voices must come first on an issue this big. Let’s also remember that many of these deportees are not even native-born Antiguans and Barbudans.
Antigua should not accept deportees who are not Antiguan-born natives!!
So true! We only know things after they are published by the media houses. So sad.
Yall welcome the LGBTQs here, now yall want to reject the larger amount? Should’ve been rejecting them since the beginning of time. Not only now they gotten comfortable and more are interested to come. Or now that you have to choose whether you want to accept deportees or not.
Hmmmm I wonder how the LGBTQ community feel about that. I mean I’m sure they would have welcomes that so they can have a wider pool of prospects to choose from… Just saying
Comrad Washy….lol let me just leave that story alone
Gaston browne. You should not even entertain any conversation with the United States no time at all about no third country deportee…only Antigua and Barbudans deportees we obligated to accept. You need to have a consultation on this matter and stop the negotiations without your people voice! Respect your people! Put brakes on this now! We don’t want non of them in Antigua !!! Slavery over. Seek legal advice on the matter.
If it’s a exchange for visa we’ll then they can keep them visa. And if they try to spite us by putting travel advisory on us, challenge them legally.
Mr. Prime Minister, I am begging you please not to accept any Refugees from America. Marco Rubio said in a Press Conference on Friday that he will be shipping out all the despicable people to the Caribbean and other third countries who will take them because he wants to keep America safe. I was shocked when I heard him say that! So we don’t want to keep our little Islands safe too. The safety of Antiguans is worth more than what America is giving us in financial aid for these people. Trump and Rubio will issue clean slates for the refugees so we will take them in. Don’t buy this they are sending the CRIMINALS to the Islands. Mr Prime Minister please, I beg you don’t be fooled by the criminal in the White House.
Allyou realize them gay and lesbian people behave like they run the world. They and their nasty lives. I agree with PM. But PM i dont like the way you always defend them
Leave Gaston alone. He is a politcian. Thats what they do play politics