PM Browne Issues Stern Warning to Immigrants Involved in Crime, Affirms Most Offenders Are Local–CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATS APP GROUP
Prime Minister Gaston Browne, speaking in Parliament Tuesday during the debate on the Anti-Crime Bill, delivered a firm warning to immigrants involved in criminal activities, making it clear that they will face deportation after serving their sentences.
While emphasizing that most crimes in Antigua and Barbuda are committed by locals, Browne was unequivocal in stating that foreign nationals breaking the law will not be exempt from the consequences.
“About 95% of the crimes in this country are committed by locals,” Browne said.
“We are not scapegoating any particular group. However, if you are not a citizen and you choose to violate the laws of this country, you will be deported once you have served your time. We make no apologies about that.”
The Prime Minister’s comments came as part of a broader discussion on crime in the nation, following a recent escalation in violent incidents.
Browne lauded the government’s efforts to restore order and crack down on gang violence but stressed that immigrants who involve themselves in criminal behavior will not be allowed to disrupt the peace.
“To the immigrants in this country, there’s no other administration in our history that has accommodated more immigrants than mine,” he remarked. “We’ve provided amnesties, citizenships, and allowed many to become law-abiding residents. But for those few who think they can come here and commit crimes, the message is clear: after you serve your sentence, you will be sent back.”
Browne also addressed concerns about the effects of deportation on families, specifically in cases where the offenders have children in Antigua and Barbuda. He noted that immigrants with families should think carefully before engaging in criminal activities.
“If you have children here, if you care about your spouse, your girlfriend, or any relative, you should think twice before you commit a crime,” he stated. “You know the law, and you know the consequences. Don’t make it harder for yourself or your loved ones.”
During his speech, the Prime Minister highlighted the significant contributions made by law-abiding immigrants to the country, but reinforced the idea that national security must come first.
He acknowledged that the rise in crime, particularly gang-related violence, is a serious concern, and that the government is taking unprecedented steps to tackle the issue, including the enactment of the Anti-Gang Bill and other related pieces of legislation.
Despite the government’s efforts to engage with the nation’s youth and provide opportunities for rehabilitation, Browne was clear that for those who refuse to change, there will be no leniency.
“Crime and violence will not pay, and if you persist in this behavior, you will pay the price,” he warned.
The Prime Minister concluded by reaffirming his government’s commitment to cracking down on all forms of criminal activity, whether committed by citizens or non-citizens, stating that the safety of the country cannot be compromised.
“Antigua and Barbuda cannot grow its economy or maintain peace in a state of chaos,” he said. “We will not allow anyone—whether local or immigrant—to destroy the fabric of our society with criminal behavior. This is everybody’s fight, and we will win.”
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truth of course check what’s going around how many shooting happening how many robbery it’s us ANTIGUANS
The statistics I would want to know is what percentage of the vicious and inherently dangerous types of crimes (burglary, arson, rape, robbery, kidnapping, murder, manslaughter) are committed by immigrants/visitors, etcetera.
Get that data for me, please. Thanks.
I am so happy the PM has shared this fact. The Head of the Prison must share these statistics. A breakdown of male, female and nationalities. This will maybe help to convince Antiguans to get their heads out of the sand. We have a problem which we must face head on. The majority of crimes are being committed by Antiguans. And yes. The PM is correct. If we have our own criminals here, we do not need to be importing others. If you are a guest in a person’s house, you have to observe decorum, decency and manners and follow the rules of that house.
Read the article again then read your question,
And just think 🤔 for a minute or 2.
The P.M shared that 95% of locals doing the the crime and and violence in the country, then u stated all what u did as if all that don’t fall under “Crime and Violence” smh.
A guarantee if he had said the majority was done by foreigners then u wouldn’t have asked for any statistics right.
Damage control, folks. That’s all this is.
This idiot never stops. He recognizes that the foreigners have come to the spotlight with the deportations, criminals that have emerged and so on. ALP relies heavily on the foreigners to prop them up in elections. Lester Bird brought them here without prejudice and now it’s biting them on the ass, this fool realizes he’s loosing grounds,especially with the sovereign citizens.
This guys lies so much,I don’t think he knows what truth is,even when the truth best serves the purpose.
He presents no data,no research or reports, just runs his mouth,knowing that the carion will run with it as if it’s gospel.
If I had to bet, I’d say this is just another long list of his lies.
Gaston says this to say what? If a non national commits a crime they should be deported immediately after serving their sentence, the fact that Antiguans are commiting crimes doesn’t negate the fact that non nationals and Jamaicans in particular are also contributing significantly to the commission of serious crimes. Just give me a break please, the pandering to the foreign population among us is tiring now.
Well it’s plain to see, Long time most crimes commited in this country is always Antiguans doing them, FACTS is FACTS. Is Antigua young people behaving so. So you all need to wake up and check you all self and a u pickney them. And stop blaming foreigners for everything.
Total BS, notice the term “local” and not Antiguan. Let’s see the birth certificates of the convicts.
LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL Mr. Byam you a kill me. What, you want to pin it on Jamaican? so you can keep deporting them? Not nice Sir.
never can admit the truth yet you all need to come off foreigners case check u all kidsan gang violence you all spend so many times ganging an bullying foreigners you all dnt see yyou all kids an what they doing check the ratio how many ANTIGUANS are doing breaking an killing ppl an do all sort a stuff we allowed our young kids out in the street all kind a hrs an dnt even ask them wat they out in street doing how many of our young youth drop out a school already because a violence why dnt we work on that
So you’ll can come off the Jamaicans back now for some so you in the comments saying he said locals he didn’t say antiguan LOCALS MEAN ANTIGUANS
So you’ll can come off the Jamaicans back now you’ll read what the PRIME MINISTER SAY.95% of crimes is done by the locals….locals mean antiguan.
The 95% spoken of, has it being further broken down into…
1…1st, 2nd, 3rd generation Antiguan?
2…ethnicity of the perpetrators?
3…types of crimes – ALL CRIMES MUST BE INCLUDED.
4…Communities which are producing these criminals?
5…”locals” is a very broad term, as it is being used here.
6…is this a [scientific] analysis, or just the Mean Of Numbers?
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’Ole Dutty Peg👣Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
@otto, yes point taken but also remember some of these people they import have no criminal record hence the PM is implementing deportation now as he mentioned.
If a local violate in breaking in my house or my store I have all right to defend whats mine and if he or she or heshe dead I should not be looked upon as a criminal, I will get my lawyer and fight my case, remember 95% of crimes are committed by locals according to your dear PM.
What about the USA and Canada especially, what if those countries say the same as you, dont import Antiguans because 95% of them are criminals we dont want them here, it might be okay for you but what about those who depend on travel, it would be a problem.
Local means people living in Antigua, whether born Antiguans or non nationals. If you don’t realize the the PM likes to play with words, think again. He would never say the people he allowed in the country for votes include a lot of criminals.
Dear Mr PM please let bus know how many of those Antiguans and Barbudans are Citizens by way of Registration, and
How many of those Antiguans are children of migrants. And while you are it let us know how many Antiguans that were jointly charged with a foreigner took the rap for the crime so that the foreigner does not get deported.
Raw figures can be very misleading therefore the analysis is important for Natiinaln policy agenda.
A skilful person with words is not always honest, let a politician be labeled a liar for his own gain whether it be for cheap or expensive political points.
St.johns is really dirty who are we to going blame with all those shacks, and debris on the side?
What percentage of the population are so called LOCALS? In my opinion,all persons living in Antigua are locals. So 95% of you are CRIMINALS.A visitor would come and leave.
Even if all Jamaicans.. You know what, let say all immigrants were to leave Antigua, the crime rate would still be the same.. smfh
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