LISTEN: PM Browne Says A Proposal To Accept Up To 120 Deportees Is Not in Antigua’s Best Interest

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says reports that Antigua and Barbuda could be asked to accept as many as 120 third-country nationals from the United States are “totally unacceptable,” as discussions continue between the two countries on a proposed deportee arrangement.

Speaking on the Browne and Browne radio programme on Saturday, Browne said Antigua and Barbuda has informed U.S. officials that it is willing to accept only 10 individuals per year under any such arrangement.

“At one point I was told that they had asked us to accept as many as 120 individuals and there was no guaranteed assistance, no guaranteed due diligence. And I said to them that that is totally unacceptable,” Browne said.

The prime minister said Antigua and Barbuda has made it clear that any individuals accepted must first undergo thorough vetting by U.S. authorities.

“We have said to them that they need to give us a commitment that they will do the necessary due diligence to make sure that they’re not criminal elements because one criminal element coming into our country can make a difference,” he said.

Browne also said the government has insisted that any third-country nationals transferred to Antigua and Barbuda must possess valid travel documents.

“We also said to them too that these persons must have travel documents because what happens sometimes is some of these immigrants, who they detain as soon as they get to the United States, they tear up their travel documents and we can’t have them come here as stateless individuals,” he said.

The prime minister said Antigua and Barbuda wants to remain a cooperative partner of the United States but must prioritize its own security and national interests.

“We have said to them that, look, they have their issues, and we want to help. We want to be a cooperative state. But we cannot participate or agree to anything that is to our detriment,” Browne said.

He added that no leader could justify agreeing to arrangements that are not in the country’s best interests.

“I mean, can anybody justify the prime minister of this country being part of any decision, or agreeing, or being compliant with anything that is not in the best interest of this country?” he asked.

Browne said Antigua and Barbuda remains vulnerable because of its small size and population and therefore must exercise caution when considering requests involving foreign nationals.

“We’re small, powerless and very vulnerable,” he said. “Based on that vulnerability, we have to make sure that we keep our country safe and secure.”

The prime minister said the government is particularly concerned about the possibility of inadvertently accepting individuals with criminal backgrounds.

“Where there is any probability for us to even inadvertently and complicitly allow criminals to come into the country, as I said, that’s not in my leadership,” he said.

Browne noted that discussions with Washington remain ongoing and said Antigua and Barbuda has not yet received a response from the U.S. State Department following its latest communication on the matter.

“I’ve asked Sir Ronald Sanders to follow up and ask them to get back to us,” he said.

The issue has been under discussion since Antigua and Barbuda signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the United States regarding the acceptance of a limited number of third-country nationals. The government has maintained that while it is willing to assist its international partners, any arrangement must be consistent with the country’s national security interests and capacity.

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