Senator Hughes Says CARICOM Failed to Present United Front on US Deportee Proposal

Senator Chester Hughes has criticized Caribbean leaders for failing to develop a unified regional response to the United States’ proposed third-country deportee arrangement, arguing that governments have instead addressed the issue individually.

Speaking during a United Progressive Party town hall meeting, Hughes said the matter should have been treated as a CARICOM-wide issue rather than being handled separately by member states.

“My final thought for us to look at is how our Caribbean leaders are treating this subject matter,” Hughes said.

He noted that Caribbean leaders recently met but said the deportee proposal was not addressed as a major regional concern.

“At no time have you heard CARICOM discuss this issue as a major Caribbean issue… They’ve all taken individual positions as regional leaders instead of taking a collective position and discussing the matter collectively.”

Hughes said the absence of a coordinated response was particularly concerning given the potential implications of accepting deportees from the United States.

He argued that the issue extends beyond Antigua and Barbuda because of the free movement arrangements within the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.

“So while we’re talking about just the persons for Antigua, what about the others who are in St. Kitts, St. Lucia, who are not comfortable there but find out they can move throughout the region?” Hughes asked. He said the government’s White Paper does not address how such movement would be managed.

Hughes also questioned the role of the Caribbean Intelligence and Public Safety Agency (CARICOM IMPACS), saying the regional security body should have been more involved in discussions surrounding the proposed arrangement.

“What role is CARICOM IMPACS playing in this whole process?” he asked. “I don’t believe that they’ve been brought on board because you have not had a regional position on this subject matter.”

He further criticized Prime Minister Gaston Browne for saying the region should have acted together while, in Hughes’ view, Antigua and Barbuda had already pursued its own course.

“And then you’re hearing the Prime Minister… saying that the region should have been acting as one,” Hughes said. “We have a group of arrogant leaders who are leading this Caribbean that are not about people, but about themselves.”

Hughes said the proposed deportee arrangement requires a coordinated regional approach because of its potential impact on immigration, security and the movement of people throughout the Eastern Caribbean.

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