VIDEO: Antigua and Barbuda Continues Discussions with the United States over deportees

Negotiations between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States over a proposed deportee resettlement arrangement remain unresolved, with a significant disagreement over the number of people the twin-island nation would be expected to receive, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has revealed.

Speaking on his weekend radio programme, Browne said discussions have stalled because the figures being proposed by Washington far exceed what his government considers manageable.

According to the prime minister, Antigua and Barbuda has indicated it could only accommodate about 10 deportees annually, while U.S. officials have reportedly suggested a figure closer to 10 each month.

Browne said accepting large numbers of deportees would place an unreasonable burden on the country and could create public safety concerns.

“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,” he said.

The prime minister questioned whether any responsible government could support an arrangement that does not adequately protect national interests.

His comments come shortly after St. Kitts and Nevis confirmed the arrival of its first group of Caribbean-born deportees under a U.S.-backed third-country deportation initiative that has been discussed with several CARICOM member states.

Other countries identified as potential destinations include Dominica, Grenada and Guyana. U.S. officials have reportedly indicated that those being transferred would not include convicted criminals, but rather individuals facing removal for immigration violations and other non-felony offences.

Browne said Antigua and Barbuda continues to insist on comprehensive background checks before agreeing to accept anyone under such a programme.

“We’re small, powerless and very vulnerable,” he said, arguing that even a single individual with a criminal background could have serious consequences for a country of Antigua and Barbuda’s size.

The government is also seeking assurances that deportees arrive with valid travel documentation. Browne noted that some migrants destroy their documents after reaching the United States, creating challenges in determining nationality and legal status.

In addition, Antigua and Barbuda is requesting financial support to assist with the care and integration of any deportees accepted under the arrangement.

The prime minister maintained that safeguarding the country’s security remains the government’s top priority as negotiations continue.

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