PM Browne Wants US to Cover Full Cost of Every Transferred National

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says no third-country national should be transferred from the United States to Antigua and Barbuda until arrangements are in place to prevent the cost of that person’s stay from falling on the local government.

A proposed set of operating procedures read on Saturday calls for US-funded accommodation, food, medical care, documentation, local transport, interpretation, administration and security. The support would continue until a transferred person departed or obtained an independent lawful basis to remain.

The draft anticipates a role for the International Organization for Migration, or another agreed international organisation, in coordinating services and assisting with voluntary return. Browne said he wants those arrangements settled and operational before the first transfer.

If assistance from an international organisation became unavailable or inadequate, further transfers would pause until satisfactory alternatives were secured. The draft also says the United States would be expected to fund and facilitate a lawful onward solution where return to a person’s country of nationality was not possible.

Browne said he was particularly concerned about Antigua and Barbuda being left with people who lack travel documents or a viable route out of the country.
“We don’t wish to be burdened financially by these third-country nationals,” he said.

The funding provisions are part of Antigua and Barbuda’s negotiating position and have not been announced as agreed terms with the United States.

All this comes as Antigua and Barbuda has proposed a limit of seven third-country nationals every three months under a potential arrangement with the United States.

Browne said the United States had sought a higher intake, but his government rejected that proposal and returned a revised set of operating procedures.

The seven-person figure would be a maximum, not a promise to accept seven people each quarter. Every proposed transfer would require Antigua and Barbuda’s express written approval.