The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has recently addressed concerns regarding its cooperation with the United States concerning third-country nationals, including refugees.
In an official written media statement, the twin-island government, led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, emphasized that it is committed to transparency, accuracy, and maintaining public confidence by clarifying the facts surrounding this issue.
It goes on to explicitly state that there has been no secret or legally binding agreement between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States.
Government authorities explained that what exists is a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), proposed by the United States as part of its global effort to share responsibility for refugees already residing within its borders. they added that this proposal was extended to over one hundred governments worldwide, including several within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), inviting consideration of a flexible, non-binding arrangement.
According to the release, to address the humanitarian crisis of facilitating the largest refugee population in the world, the U.S. has sought international cooperation to share the burden, requesting other nations accept non-criminal refugees in a manner that is safe and lawful.
Reportedly, many countries have already agreed to this non-binding arrangement–with Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, making the announcement in the country yesterday, though details have not yet been made public.
However, the release claims this does not impose legal obligations on Antigua and Barbuda, nor does it set quotas or require automatic acceptance of individuals. It also said that the agreement can be terminated at any time solely at Antigua and Barbuda’s discretion.
Addressing claims suggesting that Antigua and Barbuda has been coerced into a secret or binding agreement, the Antiguan administration deems them incorrect and misleading.
The statement goes on to clarify that under this understanding, the country retains complete sovereignty, including the right to reject any individual proposed by the U.S. The decision-making process involves careful, case-by-case review, and no persons with criminal backgrounds would be accepted.
Furthermore, the potential acceptance of third-country nationals is reportedly strictly limited, with an upper cap of ten individuals annually, subject entirely to the government’s discretion. There is no surrender of control over borders, no transfer of authority, and no compromise of national security.
Importantly, Antigua and Barbuda says it is not agreeing to accept deportees or act as a holding ground for individuals rejected by other nations.
“The Understanding relates only to lawfully screened third-country nationals, including refugees already present in the United States, and only where Antigua and Barbuda is fully satisfied—on the basis of intelligence vetting and national security assessments—that acceptance would pose no risk to the country or its people,” continues the statement.
Making it clear that the initiative was authorized by the Prime Minister and Attorney General as a diplomatic gesture, they emphasize that it was not a concession, nor an attempt to trade or harbor individuals unlawfully. Instead, say officials, it was “a measured diplomatic gesture, taken alongside many other responsible states, while preserving Antigua and Barbuda’s full discretion and control.”
In the broader context, Antigua and Barbuda government stated that it is actively engaged in discussions with the United States on various issues, including restoring normal visa issuance and renewals for its citizens, as well as technical matters related to biometric standards and international identity verification.
In its view, such cooperation on these issues exemplifies the routine, good-faith interactions that characterize international relations, reinforcing that such steps do not compromise national sovereignty or security.
“Antigua and Barbuda remains a sovereign state, fully in control of its decisions and its borders. The Government will continue to act prudently, transparently, and in the best interests of the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” concluded the release.
America gives Israel billions of dollars every year mainly used to buy weapons to attack its neighbours and commit genocide against the Palestinians. Why can’t it force Israel to take in some of these refugees for continuance of this aid rather than bullying other poorer countries to shoulder this responsibility. This is also on the back of these countries no longer receiving USaid since he stopped this program at the start of his second term. How will these refugees be housed, fed, given medical care, jobs and schooling for their children? Does these poor Caribbean countries have the resources to shoulder such a burden on their small economies?
Agree with your comment @derp, this brings to mind the Somali refugees who were invited, encouraged ,and even flown to the USA by the USA government to live in America, but who USA now want to get rid of,since they are recking havoc in America and are involved in all sorts of criminal activities, even making the news for widespread fraudulent activities in the State of Minnesota. Trump in a recent press conference described the Somali refugees as garbage,and Somalia as not being a real country but garbage, he said they just walk around killing each other. And he also said why can’t we get people instead from nice places like Denmark, Switzerland. So my question is…are these the refugees Trump wants to pass on to the Caribbean islands, the Somalis,and others who even if we leave aside their widespread fraudulent criminal activities of many, still create additional headache for USA because of their refusal to integrate in the society preferring to stick to their Somali clan.
Typo error meant to put “wreaking havoc”
Trump is a crooked nail he’s recently switched course, handing out billions in contracts to the same big tech firms he once threatened to sue. When New York stumbles, he turns to bankers who’ve bought up vast amounts of real estate, often sold to Russian investors.
Still, I like what he’s doing, and I always knew this would happen. I’ve said many times that these people don’t share common values or language with us. When they take over, imbalance follows. Frankly, we are a Christian nation let’s hope that identity remains intact
All this to try to obfuscate from the fact that they have bent the knee to emperor Trump
Lies that, your hand was forced over that America visa / passport selling story.
Sadly, after all the BS you and Roosevelt have gotten your greedy selves involved in, you have no choice but to take ALL of it down you all throat without gasping for air or vomiting. Quite frankly, you cant say no or even how many you can accept because you all are looking for favors after the Maduro’s debacle. You Caribbean leaders are so embroiled in alleged corruption that uncle Trump is the one asking ; “who is your daddy now?” Where is the so called MIGHTY China to save you all?
Alas, the gullible population of Antigua/ Barbuda and Dca never saw this coming because they were too focused on hand-outs and feel good sewo. Heaven help the Caribbean and its people under these corrupt leader who are now on their knees before uncle Trump doing what grown men should not do.
The time for reckoning is at hand…..
@ Bwa- Banday, your uncle Trump cannot stand in the shoes if any of our caribbean leaders. first of all he is a CONVICTED FELON on 34 counts, he is a thug, after kidnapping Maduro he now wants to sell Venezuelan oil to stuff the pockets of his billionaire friends while millions of Americans go without Healthcare. This your uncle Trump is wicked and evil, also very very greedy.
If Trump is how you negatively described him, and our Caribbean leaders are bending over backwards to please him,then the message this sends is that they are no different to Trump.
proposed by the United States as part of its global effort to share responsibility for refugees already residing within its borders
This sounds like a US problem and they want that problem to be spread throughout the world