Prime Minister Gaston Browne addresses Parliament (photo by Robert Andre Emmanuel)
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the government will not allow criminals to enter Antigua and Barbuda via any Third Country National (TCN) agreement with the United States of America.
The US administration has concluded agreements with more than 30 countries for the removal of third country nationals, including negotiations with several Caribbean countries—Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Guyana and Grenada.
Speaking during a debate on a resolution tabled before Parliament today, the Prime Minister said the government has been in talks with the US over the operational agreement on the TCN programme and rejected several iterations that did not expressly bar unaccompanied minors, persons with unresolved asylum claims or persons with criminal records beyond US visa immigration violations.
“We’re not seeking to protract these negotiations but as I said, we’re not going to act out of haste and then get an agreement that ultimately will undermine our quality of life here in Antigua and Barbuda,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said that Antigua and Barbuda will continue to cooperate with the US but will not undermine its own national interests by becoming a “dumping ground” for violent criminals.
“No person should arrive in Antigua and Barbuda unless all legal, security, financial and administrative arrangements have been settled in advance and in writing. So, on the basis that we are able to conclude this operational agreement within the next few weeks, we want to make sure that we have an agreement in writing as to the financial support that will be provided by the United States,” he added.
The Prime Minister referenced past cooperation with the US on trade, immigration, law enforcement as well as a recent UN resolution on the matter of Cuba which representatives from Antigua and Barbuda abstained from voting as examples of close bilateral agreement with United States.
The resolution sets out a number of principles including a requirement that any transfers be considered on a case-by-case basis, a prohibition on open-ended intake arrangements and a provision for the government to suspend or discontinue its participation into the programme.
When the other islands take those from America tighten your immigration at sea and airport because they will find themselves in Antigua, look in their passport for place of birth, they not going to get the money and let us be the second dumping ground 😑
A strong statement.
Mr. PM If America with all it’s states, all its resources don’t want these people why should we take them here. We are just surving here in Antigua. Why add more stress to you and the people of Antigua? US take away them visa from us. Now Europe is look to impose another visa prisonment, these Country keep us in slavery long enough. Do not bow Mr. PM if the Carribean stands United these countries will respect or war against us. I am an American citizen.. Not a born Antiguan. Do not bow.. People let us pray for our country. PRAY PRAY PRAY. Pray for our PM and his Govt. Pray for unity with the opposition, pray for unity with the Caricom nation.
People of God 🙏 I
Correction: I am a US citizen and a born Antiguan. Let us fight for our country
The orange Cheetos not gonna like that stance