Joseph Calls for CARICOM-Wide System to Track Third-Country Nationals

Health Minister Michael Joseph is calling for CARICOM and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to adopt a coordinated regional system to register and monitor any third-country nationals accepted under arrangements with the United States, warning that individual countries cannot address the issue in isolation.

Speaking during Tuesday’s parliamentary debate on a resolution establishing the framework for Antigua and Barbuda’s negotiations with the United States over the possible transfer of third-country nationals, Joseph said regional cooperation is essential to protecting both security and the free movement of people within the Caribbean.

Joseph said that if Caribbean countries agree to accept third-country nationals, governments must ensure that every individual is properly registered through the CARICOM IMPACS security system.

“I think that if it is that, as a region, we’re going to be accepting individuals, we have to make sure that CARICOM IMPACS plays a critical part,” he said.

He argued that a regional database would allow authorities to monitor individuals regardless of which CARICOM or OECS member state initially accepts them, reducing the risk that someone could move freely across borders without adequate oversight.

Joseph noted that the OECS’ free movement arrangements mean a person legally admitted to one member state could subsequently travel to another, making regional coordination essential.

“It’s not just about the country that they’re coming into, but it’s about regional integration as well. It’s about CARICOM, it’s about the OECS,” he said.

He said Caribbean governments should develop common policies rather than making decisions independently, warning that one country’s actions could have implications for the wider region.

“I think it’s important that we have a regional discussion,” Joseph said, adding that the issue “is not unilateral” and requires cooperation among CARICOM governments.

Joseph made the remarks while defending the government’s resolution, which sets out the principles under which Antigua and Barbuda will continue negotiations with the United States.

He said the administration recognizes that migration is a growing global issue but insisted that any decisions must safeguard the country’s sovereignty, security and long-term sustainability.

“It’s not just about migration, but it’s about our sovereignty. It’s about the sustainability of this island and about the safety and security of our people,” Joseph told Parliament.

The health minister also stressed that the government is not proposing a blanket acceptance policy. Instead, he said every individual must be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether that person poses any security, health or other risks to Antigua and Barbuda.

He noted that the United States follows a similar model when processing refugee and resettlement applications by evaluating each applicant individually.

“We’re saying that we want the opportunity to look at each individual case by case and say, does this individual fit Antigua and Barbuda’s purpose? Do they fit into our security? Do they fit into our safety? Do they pose any health threats?” Joseph said.

Joseph said the resolution sends a clear signal that Antigua and Barbuda remains willing to negotiate with the United States while maintaining its sovereign right to determine what is in the country’s best interests.

“We are ready to negotiate. We want to negotiate. However, we are a sovereign nation. We have to be mindful about our own individual context,” he said.

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