The Antigua and Barbuda government is negotiating with the United States over a proposal that could see the country accept up to 16 third-country nationals each year, while insisting it will retain full control over who is admitted.
Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said Cabinet has endorsed Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s negotiating position as discussions continue with U.S. officials on the possible relocation and resettlement of a limited number of third-country nationals.
Merchant said Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, is leading the negotiations on behalf of the government following the submission of the country’s counter-proposals.
He said the government has made it clear that individuals with criminal backgrounds will not be accepted and that every prospective entrant must undergo comprehensive due diligence before being considered for admission.
“The government has insisted that detailed reports be submitted on each individual, including information relating to criminal history, security assessments and health status, before any consideration is given to admission to Antigua and Barbuda,” Merchant said.
Merchant said the Prime Minister has also made clear that Antigua and Barbuda will retain the sovereign right to determine who may enter and reside in the country.
Under the revised proposal, Antigua and Barbuda has indicated a willingness to consider accepting between 14 and 16 individuals each year, subject to the government’s strict screening and approval process. He added that preference could also be given to skilled individuals whose qualifications and expertise could contribute to national development and economic growth.
Responding to questions from reporters, Merchant confirmed that the proposed annual number had been revised upward from an earlier figure of 10 as negotiations progressed.
“It is a revised number and it’s all part of the negotiation process,” he said, adding that the United States remains “a great partner of Antigua and Barbuda.”
Merchant also disclosed that the discussions include financial support from the United States to assist with housing and the settlement of any approved individuals.
“It is not a case of sending these third-country nationals to Antigua and that’s it. The United States has agreed to provide a level of support while these individuals are settling or resettling in Antigua and Barbuda,” he said.
Cabinet noted the longstanding relationship between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States and agreed that the government should continue engaging Washington on matters of mutual interest while ensuring that national security, public health and the country’s broader social interests remain fully protected.
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This is treason! First it was only 10 now it’s up to 16 and counting. This buffoon of a PM will accept jihadists, muslim rape gangs, narco terrorists, AIDS people et al to keep Mrs PM’s visa. Indigenous Antiguans will be fighting for our lives on this small island!
It seems obvious that the Browne government, like others around the world are wondering, will the Republicans be in power in 2028 and if not, will the Democrats reverse some of Trump’s policies such as these third country removals? Time will tell.
Until then, the Trump Administration has Antigua bent over a barrel in the same position as 30 other countries around the world including St. Kitts (who last month received some third country deportees), St. Lucia, Dominica and Guyana.
Mr Byam, I’m glad you noticed the 60% increase in the acceptance of the deportees and refugees arriving in Antigua very soon.
Even though I’ve been asked by ABLP supporters to tone down my rhetoric against this government and THEIR Prime Minister, because dem so damn sensitive to my criticism of them.
I’m a reasonable person, so I’m going to try to ease up on their sensibilities … for at least a week!
Heheheee 🤣 🤣 🤣
Have a blessed day sir 👍🏾
Trump: U want VISA? Do u?? Next time the US is blowing up boats and kidnapping a country’s leader in your region u never stay neutral again…Otherwise…Well u can see what’s happening…..
Correction Mr Byam, the indiginous Antiguans have already been killed. We are not indiginous to the Caribbean. We were brought here by Europeans thanks to our own people who sold us or traded us as slaves to the same Europeans. Yes, our own black people captured us, made us slaves and sold us to foreigners. We have not learned anything from history.
Now our government is looking out for their personal gains and not us, the citizens of this country. That’s what we get for them voting them back in again. Their votes were worth the little free gas, the small the money vouchers and the gifts for our children. In return for their votes, they get to continue living like kings while they are grateful for a cheese and bread every day and sometimes they might even splurge and add salami.
Keep on taking bribes and voting for them. You deserve everything you get from government.
Oh boy! The American president has the intelligence on these corrupt thieving prime ministers across the Caribbean and has used that as blackmail and physical threat. I speak of the huge offshore bank account that these ministers hold in foreign countries with hundreds of millions in cash stolen from their countries, it is estimated that an amalgamation of stolen funds by all Caribbean leaders could be near 4 trillion USD, that is what trump has cleverly threatened to seize if these Caribbean ministers don’t comply with his ultimatum, so the prime ministers themselves now sacrifice their countries on the altar of self interest of saving their stolen loot and properties abroad. Some has attempted to convert to crypto currency but find that there can be digital cash seizure by the USA government and it’s satellite partners.
So we are only under the threat of accepting refugees from the USA because of our leaders criminal background against the fiduciary trust the people reposed in these prime ministers, and Antigua politicians and prime minister have a lot to lose. We would have to get a new government in place to stand up against the USA, opposition leader Jamal Pringle is not fitted with the institutional capacity to be a leader to inspire such change or confidence by the people.
The Dominica prime minister Roosevelt skerrit and Antigua prime minister Gaston brown is known to stash large amount of looted cash on offshore banks in USA and European banking system which are visible to the USA.
Antiguans need to set up a grass roots data base of all deportees that end up here. It must be independent of government and police. These people will be moved into communities so anyone who sees new people should let everyone know. We need to know who these people are. One, to keep tabs on them and two, if government changes we can begin procedures to get them out. We will need to do this organically and amongst ourselves.
Annually?
The answer is NO!
If they’re citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, no prob, but I’m opposed to ppl that have go tired to the US or the Caribbean coming.
The friggin US just take advantage of everyone to smaller people. They have the friggin resources, let them send them to their me countries.
What Antigua and Barbuda get out of this? Or money m WTO? Assistance in development? Travel restrictions removed? Free access to their education and medical facilities?
Don’t negotiate a dam thing with them!
Tell the US to phuck off!
@Brixtonian
No need to tone down. Every body has an opinion based on their political beliefs. It takes a more studied approach to highlight the The ABLP strategy and let the actions tell the story.
1. Do the analysis and connect the dots to the craziness of adopting Spanish as a second language
2. Do the analysis and connect the dots of who is going to be living in the Chinese built Booby Alley apartments that’s sitting empty.
3. Do the analysis and connect the dots as well as ask the the question why Gaston want to build 300 units in the farming area at Katel Hill in Barbuda, with shopping center and movie houses.
Don’t be surprised if some of these criminals deportees will be given free tuition at UWI Five Islands
@Brixtonian
No need to tone down. Every body has an opinion based on their political beliefs. It takes a more studied approach to highlight the The ABLP strategy and let the actions tell the story.
1. Do the analysis and connect the dots to the craziness of adopting Spanish as a second language
2. Do the analysis and connect the dots of who is going to be living in the Chinese built Booby Alley apartments that’s sitting empty.
3. Do the analysis and connect the dots as well as ask the the question why Gaston want to build 300 units in the farming area at Katel Hill in Barbuda, with shopping center and movie houses.
Don’t be surprised if some of these criminals deportees will be given free tuition at UWI Five Islands
Come on pathetic commentator…you don’t see the numbers??? 14= 1+4=5 and 16= 1+6= 7…= 57… square and compass demmm retards
You’ll have been bamboozled again.. 😂..no surprise here..
Actions have consequences, and whether GB listen s to other people advice, or he just wing it by himself, all of his decisions are failures.
When a shark see blood in the water, your arse is grass..Trump is a shark, so is GB, but Trump is a bigger shark in a bigger pond, and we all know that some sharks do eat other sharks.
This man should have listened to me..I warned is arse..but hey, I also warn Antiguan’s about this GB, and the idiot he has overseeing the criminal portfolio.
Again, no talk of this leading up to the snap election..anyone noticed?
So deal with it for the next 4 years, the same Americans have to deal with choosing Trump.
Trump has not gotten everything incorrect,but to say the same of GB, is a long shot..just too many mistakes, too many, and they will keep coming back to bite the Antiguan people, because at the end of the day, these leaders we have now will not see one day in jail for their treasonous acts.
I bet the ANR editor laughs his head off when he reads what some of you people write in the comments section. No doubt, he laughs at YOU not with you!
Antiguans… 🤪
And where are all the GB supporters on this topic, they have nothing to say?
All you jokers can talk about is Giselle and Pringle, when we clearly have some serious policies that have been implemented by this inept administration. These policies will affect Antigua for years.. out of 40.000 voters in Antigua, not even 5 voters from ABLP can come forward and voice their opinion about this matter? You hear from @the world, but his comments are much of the same..pure jokes and games, but no advice for his leader who is clearly out of his depth..The waters are too deep for GB @the world, too deep.. 😂
It’s funny how these ABLP supporters seems to have died out after the election. 😂
@Eldread, I wholeheartedly agreed with you
The decision by the Prime Minister to accept deportees from the United States represents one of the most troubling policy decisions in the recent history of Antigua and Barbuda. It raises profound questions about our national sovereignty, the competence of our leadership, and the value this government places on the interests of its own people.
The United States has determined that these individuals should no longer remain within its borders. Yet our government has willingly agreed to receive them. How can any administration justify accepting what another nation has rejected? By what logic does this serve the national interest of Antigua and Barbuda?
Even more disturbing is the government’s refusal to provide the people with a full and honest explanation. Neither the Prime Minister nor Ambassador Sir Ronald Sanders has informed the nation of the benefits, if any, that Antigua and Barbuda will receive in exchange for accepting this burden. The silence is deafening.
Leadership demands accountability. The people of Antigua and Barbuda deserve to know what was negotiated on their behalf. Was visa-free access to the United States secured for Antiguan and Barbudan citizens? Were punitive tariffs lifted? Were significant investments, economic concessions, or security guarantees obtained? If the answer to these questions is no, then one must ask: What exactly did our government gain from this arrangement?
Antigua and Barbuda is already confronting significant economic and social challenges. Our healthcare system, housing sector, employment market, and law enforcement agencies are under constant pressure. The first responsibility of any government is to protect the interests and security of its own citizens—not to volunteer the nation to assume additional burdens imposed by a far larger and more powerful country.
This agreement projects not strength, but weakness; not prudent diplomacy, but unnecessary submission. It suggests that this government is prepared to accommodate the wishes of Washington while failing to demand meaningful reciprocal benefits for the people of Antigua and Barbuda. That is not the mark of strong leadership. It is the hallmark of poor negotiation and misplaced priorities.
The Prime Minister owes the nation far more than vague assurances and political talking points. He owes the people complete transparency. He owes Parliament a full accounting of the terms of this agreement. Above all, he owes every Antiguan and Barbudan an explanation of why such a consequential decision was made without broad public consultation or national consensus.
Equally troubling is the silence from those entrusted with holding the government to account. Where is the opposition? Where are the public forums, the national debates, the peaceful demonstrations, and the organised resistance that should accompany a decision of this magnitude? Democracy cannot thrive when those charged with scrutinising the government remain silent in the face of policies that profoundly affect the nation.
History teaches us that freedom is not lost overnight. It is surrendered gradually when citizens cease to question, cease to challenge, and cease to demand accountability from those who govern in their name. The people of Antigua and Barbuda must never become indifferent to decisions that shape the future of their country.
This is not merely about deportees. It is about national dignity. It is about sovereignty. It is about whether Antigua and Barbuda will determine its own destiny or quietly accept policies that others dictate. The government must explain why it believes this agreement serves the national interest. Until it does, the people are fully justified in questioning its wisdom, challenging its judgment, and demanding accountability.
The people deserve answers. They deserve transparency. Above all, they deserve a government whose first loyalty is to Antigua and Barbuda—not to the convenience or priorities of any foreign power.
Exactly how do you start to negotiate from 10?
The negotiations should start from zero,no?
If you start to negotiate from 10 you are already at a disadvantage, no?
Can Antigua negotiate a swap? Consider swapping non Antiguan prisoners with extended sentences.
HOW THE HELL DO YOU ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH NO CLEAR BENEFITS FOR YOURSELF?
Accepting refugees impacts local public services, housing, and healthcare systems. Citizens should have a voice in how capacity is managed. Decisions that alter the cultural and economic makeup of a country should be subject to public debate or referendums. There ought to be public consultation on these issues given that they can impact local resources significantly. I frankly do not think that Government is giving enough attention to the domestic concerns on this refugee matter.
You people cry and scream about Gaston causing Visa restrictions. Now he is doing all this to get it removed, hear the cries and screams again. This is what you get. You want to go to America so badly? A place that doesn’t want us in the first place? Tek wah ya get!
@ Yap, yap, yap (better portrayed as Yak, yak, yakity yak 🤣), at least the ANR Commentators have an opinion one way or the other.
The worst ones, are like yourself, who have NO opinion either way, and just sit on the fence from afar just pontificating.
ANYONE CAN DO THAT…
@Brix.
You see the Jamaican deal on accepting deportees?
The new US embassador to Jamaica, outlined her intents and partnership with Jamaica in her new appointment, and Jamaica is getting everything..Norco military support to combat the amount of drugs coming into Jamaica, they are getting billions in Aide to rebuild their infrastructure after the hurricane, they are getting police support in combating crimes in the tune of more sophisticated forensic tools, they are getting more help,and the promise to prosecute scammers right there in Jamaica instead of expediting them to the US.
And there is a bunch more..
All now we don’t know what’s in the proposal for Antigua, because in the Jamaican briefing in Washington, there was no mention of any lifting of visa restrictions. The US is helping Jamaican to combat it’s terrible crime rate before they even talk about Visa’s.
So by that I know that no visa restrictions is on the table for Antigua in the deal, because Washington has been watching, and crime is not going down in Antigua, but going up. Infact don’t forget about that report a while back that stated that in the past 25yrs, not one corruption charge has been laid against anyone in Antigua, not one. That report might not have any merits to some, but Washington law makers in Congress look at that stuff when they are supporting laws. Remember, whether you are a DM or RP in Washington, these people have their voters at heart, so don’t be fooled and think that it’s just Trump that has the say, he’s just the scapegoat many a times.
There are some law makers in Washington who has just as much power as Trump, and some of them have not forgotten what happened here in Antigua with Allen Sanford and the whopping he put on many of these Americans from some of the states these law makers are from.
I know directly that restrictions were put on Jamaica because of the scammer’s that have become kings in Jamaica, where the cops are even bought out by some of them. The problem there, is that most of the scamming money comes from Americans, and the Jamaican justice system seems to turn a blind eye to the corruption and have done almost nothing. There are known scammers in Jamaica that move around like they are untouchable, and the US looks at that.
People can call America anything they want, but there is one thing that is very important in any democracy, is that no one is above the law. It’s not a perfect place, but the people here respect that..no matter who you are, from the mob, to cartels, to corrupt politicians, you are not above the law.
Can we say that about many islands in the Caribbean? If it wasn’t for America, many of these drug kingpin’s and scammer’s will be still walking free and living high lives in the islands..That’s why the CBI is so important to them.
America looks at everything, and I respect them for that..be a criminal all you want, but just remember your arse is on the line just like anyone else.
That I respect about America, that. There is no perfect world, but a country without a proper justice system, is a failure in my book.
EVERY IDEA HAVE CONSEQUENCES. YOU DON’T KNOW THESE PPL TRUMP DIPPING N YOU TAKING THEM FOR WHAT REASON…HE DONT NEED THEM .IN HIS COUNTRY. N AMERICA IS BIG…BUT LITTLE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA..BE CAREFULL MR PM…SOME THINGS LOOK GOOD.BUT A TRAP.TO MESS UP OUR BEAUTIFUL LITTLE ANTIGUA
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