The Government of Antigua and Barbuda this morning is expected to table a Resolution in the House of Representatives outlining the principles that will govern any future arrangement involving the possible transfer of third-country nationals removed from the United States.

The Resolution is intended to establish a clear policy framework to guide any continued discussions while protecting Antigua and Barbuda’s sovereignty, national security, legal obligations, administrative capacity and financial interests.

As part of what it describes as an unprecedented move toward transparency, the Government will also publicly release both the proposal submitted by the United States and Antigua and Barbuda’s official response, making it the first country to disclose the documents in full.

Government officials say the documents confirm that no binding agreement has been signed and that no arrangement has been concluded between the two countries.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne said the administration believes matters involving legal, humanitarian, financial and national security considerations should be dealt with openly and subjected to parliamentary scrutiny.

“This Government believes that matters of such legal, humanitarian, financial and security importance must be handled openly and with respect for Parliament. By bringing the full proposal from the United States, and our response, before the House of Representatives, Antigua and Barbuda is demonstrating transparency and accountability, while maintaining our longstanding friendship and cooperation with the Government and people of the United States,” Browne said.

The proposed Resolution is designed to establish the safeguards under which discussions may continue while preserving Antigua and Barbuda’s authority to accept or reject any proposed transfer on a case-by-case basis.

Among the principles to be outlined are that there will be no automatic or open-ended programme, no predetermined quota of persons accepted, and no transfer without the Government’s prior approval in each individual case.

The framework also stipulates that comprehensive legal, operational, financial and administrative arrangements must be agreed to in writing before any transfer can proceed.

According to the Government, Antigua and Barbuda would also require satisfactory provisions relating to identity verification, travel documentation, accommodation, funding, legal status, security, support services, and responsibility for any onward movement or return before considering any proposal.

While reaffirming the country’s longstanding friendship with the United States, the Government stressed that it also has a constitutional duty to protect the interests of the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

Officials said bringing the matter before Parliament today will ensure that any future policy decisions are subject to democratic oversight and public transparency while safeguarding the nation’s institutions, resources and social stability.