BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - CONCERNS are being raised over the possible impact which deportation of criminals from the USA can have on member states coming under the Regional Security System (RSS).
This comes against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump issuing an Executive Order pushing deportation of illegal immigrants living in that territory.
Over the last several weeks, a number of persons have been deported and it has been a major concern for many CARICOM member states currently dealing with high crime rates.
Speaking at the opening of the Council of Ministers of the RSS meeting in St. Kitts, the Federation’s Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, told the gathering that the matter of criminal deportation is not a new issue.
But in recent times, he noted that “it has emerged critically on the forefront in the United States of America. And, it has emerged equally on the forefront of [the] EU, as it has been at the heart of many of the security issues - and even at the heart of political discourse in the EU, certainly in Germany; certainly in the UK”.
The Caribbean, according to media reports, has a large number of illegal immigrants living in the United States and other developed nations.
And Dr. Harris stressed, “That is a matter that we need to confront and...it is a matter all of us have to pay attention to.”
The Prime Minister questioned whether the new immigration policy being implemented in the USA will result in significant levels of deportations and what is the state of readiness by RSS member states?
“We have long respected, and continue to do so, each country’s right to determine the immigration policy that is within its national interest and we would not waiver from that recognition,” added PM Harris.
Further, he recorded his disappointment at the way the deportation process is being handled by the United States as many of those leaving its jurisdiction, would have migrated there at a tender age.
“We have always, though, been concerned about the manner in which deportation takes place. The level of notice given [and] the availability of member states to be able to deal with persons returning home.”
Speaking to the reported deportation issue, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Barbados Drew Blakeney noted that that entity has not formally received any word on the deportation issue.
“As far as we are concerned, we have not received any new guidance. So that means that, if nationals of your country served prison sentences in the United States for crimes, but are not otherwise of legal status in the United States...legal permanent resident or haven’t acquired citizenship, then they remain citizens of your country.
“Under international laws, countries are obliged to receive their nationals. We hear you with regards to coordination and a request should be made through your embassy in Washington…”
Many in the United States have been pushing for those illegal immigrants without criminal records to remain. However, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) has been carrying out exercises rounding up those found to be illegal in the US - even in some of those states deemed “sanctuary states”.
