ST. JOHN'S, Antigua — AS regional debate continues over the acceptance of third-country nationals (TCNs) deported from the United States, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda says it will introduce a Resolution in the House of Representatives on tomorrow (Jul. 14) outlining the principles that would govern any such arrangement.
According to the government, the Resolution is intended to ensure that any discussions are conducted within a framework that protects the country's sovereignty, laws, security, administrative capacity and financial interests.
The United States has been seeking countries willing to accept third-country nationals whose home countries refuse to receive them as part of President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement policy.
Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and Guyana are among the Caribbean countries expected to participate in the initiative. However, regional governments have maintained that they would only consider accepting a limited number of Caribbean nationals who do not have criminal records.
Unlike other participating countries, Antigua and Barbuda has been open about its discussions with Washington. The government said that, in the interest of "openness and accountability," it will become the first country to publicly disclose both the proposal submitted by the United States and its official response.
The statement stressed that the documents confirm "that no binding agreement exists and that no arrangement has been concluded, since no final agreement has been signed."
Prime Minister Gaston Browne said: "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."
The government said it will also be the only administration—in the United States, the Caribbean or elsewhere—to submit the matter to both Houses of Parliament for full democratic scrutiny.
The Resolution would establish the safeguards under which discussions may continue while preserving Antigua and Barbuda's sovereign right to approve or reject each proposed transfer on a case-by-case basis.
Among its key provisions are that there will be no standing, automatic or open-ended programme; no predetermined quota of persons; and no transfer without prior government approval after reviewing each individual's background, including any criminal record. It also requires that all legal, operational, financial and administrative arrangements be agreed to in writing before any transfer takes place.
Additionally, the Resolution requires satisfactory arrangements for identity verification, documentation, accommodation, financial support, legal status, security and responsibility for any onward movement or return before any proposal can be considered.
The government said that while it values its longstanding relationship with the United States, it also has a constitutional duty to protect the interests of the people of Antigua and Barbuda and ensure that no external arrangement places an undue burden on the country's institutions, resources or social stability.
By bringing the issue before Parliament and the public, the government said it is ensuring that a matter with significant legal, humanitarian, financial and security implications is handled transparently, responsibly and with full democratic oversight.
