Chief Immigration Officer Awaits Formal Instructions on Deportees, refugees under U.S agreement

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Chief Immigration Officer Katrina Yearwood Speaking at National Security Press Conference on Friday January 9, 2026

Antigua and Barbuda’s Chief Immigration Officer, Katrina Yearwood, says her department has not received instructions or formal information regarding the arrival of any deportees or other individuals under a proposed arrangement with the United States.

Yearwood made the remarks Friday while responding to a media question during a national security press conference, following a public announcement by Prime Minister Gaston Browne that Antigua and Barbuda could accept a limited number of individuals from the United States.

Asked whether anyone had already arrived under such an arrangement and what vetting safeguards were in place, Yearwood said she was not in a position to confirm any arrivals, noting that the matter remains unresolved.

She told reporters that Immigration has not yet received direction from the responsible minister and that the situation is still evolving. Any action by the department, she said, would depend on official guidance once decisions are finalized.

The comments came amid growing public interest and political debate over potential migration, deportation, or refugee arrangements involving Antigua and Barbuda and the United States.

Yearwood did not provide details on timelines, categories of individuals, or screening procedures, emphasizing that Immigration would act only when formal instructions are issued.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Embarrassing

    1 it is now confirmed that the Immigration Department functions by directives from the Minister and not according to the Immigration law.

    2 if the CIO is not in the position to confirm if certain persons who entered the country legally then who can?

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