Lovell Slams Government Plan to Accept Non-Criminal Deportees

Harold Lovell has criticised the government’s stated willingness to accept non-criminal deportees from the United States, describing the policy as reckless and disconnected from local realities.

In a statement, Lovell said Prime Minister Gaston Browne was wrong to suggest Antigua and Barbuda could absorb deportees with “skills we can use,” arguing that unemployment remains high and young people are already struggling to find work.

Lovell warned that bringing in non-criminal deportees would place additional pressure on housing, healthcare and public infrastructure, and said the approach revived painful memories of the Antigua Airways controversy, which he characterised as a period marked by poor transparency and weak oversight.

Although he acknowledged the circumstances were not identical, Lovell said the current situation reflected a familiar pattern in which major international arrangements were entered into quietly, with explanations coming only after public concern had been raised. He said such actions exposed the country to reputational and security risks.

According to Lovell, decisions of this magnitude should not be taken without a clear public mandate, parliamentary debate or broad consultation. He described the policy direction as “reckless governance” and called for a change in approach, saying it was time to restore pride and put the country back on track.

Full Statement by Harold Lovell

*“Prime Minister Browne’s announcement that Antigua and Barbuda is prepared to accept non-criminal deportees with ‘skills we can use’ is reckless and deeply out of touch.

With unemployment high and young people struggling to find work, this government is prepared to accept non-criminal deportees from the US, further straining housing, healthcare and infrastructure.

This issue reopens painful memories of the Antigua Airways debacle, when we were told wealthy Africans were coming. Although the circumstances are not identical, it reflects a familiar failure of transparency, oversight and due diligence. Major international arrangements were entered into quietly, explanations came only after the fact, and the country was left exposed to reputational and security risks. Antiguans and Barbudans remember the Prime Minister claiming he was duped and we are wary when agreements are signed in silence and justified later.

Once again, critical decisions are made without mandate, without debate and without public consultation. This is reckless governance. It is time to restore pride and put this country back on track.”*

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