CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – AS U.S. immigration officials continue to detain and deport illegal migrants involved in criminal activities, concerns are mounting across the Caribbean about the potential impact of mass deportations under former President Donald Trump’s policies.
Premier of Nevis, Mark Brantley, has called on regional governments to develop a strategic plan to manage the potential influx of deportees.
"I've seen some publications where people have alleged that these are the numbers to come home. I'm not sure how they come up with those numbers or where those numbers come from. But what I will say to you is that it's important for St. Kitts and Nevis, and I think for wider Caricom, to come up with a plan as to how they intend to manage," Brantley stated.
He expressed particular concern about the return of individuals who have been convicted of serious crimes in the U.S.
"If it is the plan to clean out the prisons, for example, and send home to the Caribbean those who might have committed incredibly violent crimes in America, those who are career criminals who might be in federal penitentiary, and you say to them, well, all right, back to Jamaica you go, back to Antigua you go, back to St. Kitts and Nevis you go," warned Brantley.
He also highlighted the challenge of monitoring these individuals, especially under the freedom of movement provisions within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
“But one of the concerns, of course, is how do you monitor and ensure that those individuals aren't then allowed to filter through the region? So for example, you know we have freedom of movement in the OECS. So what if a very dangerous criminal is taken from prison and sent home to Dominica? Just drawing a reference.
"What will prevent him from deciding, I'm not going to stay in Dominica where people may know me, let me go to St. Kitts or Nevis, or let me go to Antigua. So I think CARICOM needs to articulate a plan and let us the public know what that plan is going to look like so that we could have some comfort and some reassurance that somebody deported to Trinidad doesn't make his or her way to St. Kitts and Nevis if that individual was involved in some violent crime or had been incarcerated in the United States.
While acknowledging that each country has a duty to accept its nationals, Brantley underscored the need for a regional approach to reintegration and security.
He urged CARICOM to take the lead in addressing these challenges, emphasizing that while St. Kitts and Nevis must develop its own strategy, a coordinated regional response is essential.
