Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda will not accept third-country nationals under any agreement with the United States unless they are thoroughly vetted, adding that the country should not be expected to receive additional LGBTQ asylum seekers or refugees.
Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show on Saturday, Browne said he had been informed that two of the three third-country nationals recently accepted by St. Kitts and Nevis identify as LGBTQ.
“I’m told the three that were sent to St. Kitts, two of them are LGBTQIAs,” Browne said, adding: “We have enough of those here.”
His comments came as he discussed negotiations between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States over Washington’s request that Caribbean countries accept a limited number of third-country nationals who cannot readily be returned to their countries of origin.
Browne said his government’s position is based primarily on security, health and financial considerations rather than sexual orientation or gender identity.
“We do not want people who are criminals. We don’t want people who are sick. We do not want anyone who is going to become a charge,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Antigua has insisted that anyone accepted under such an arrangement undergo comprehensive security and medical screening before arrival. He added that the country has also requested that all individuals arrive with valid travel documents rather than temporary documents issued by U.S. authorities.
According to Browne, Antigua has indicated it could consider accepting up to 10 third-country nationals each year, provided they have no serious criminal history, do not pose a security or public health risk, and satisfy the government’s vetting requirements.
He argued that Antigua’s limited resources make it difficult to absorb individuals who may require long-term government assistance after any temporary support from the United States expires.
Browne said the government would continue negotiating with Washington while maintaining Antigua and Barbuda’s sovereign right to determine who is permitted to enter and reside in the country.
The discussions form part of broader negotiations between the United States and several Caribbean governments over accepting third-country nationals who cannot be repatriated to their countries of origin as part of Washington’s immigration enforcement strategy.
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Them a try tun this God fearing nation into Sodom and Gomorrah keep them out!!!
Ignore newsroom inflammatory headline.
This is about a much broader issue than gay people.
This ask by USA will impact every A&B national.
In exchange, what will USA give A&B, for taking in their “despicables” quote Marco Rubio.
* Pay the outstanding gambling judgement debt in full with interest?
* Cease singling out Citizenship By Investment countries to remove the increasingly punitive reporting & financial handicaps, to remove the ever greater hurdles for genuine nationals to travel as free people?
*Remove tariffs?
Bullies demand.
Negotiation requires both parties to gain.
A&B keep negotiating or step away.
But GB, everyone of these deportees are exactly what you just described..are you actually listening to what’s coming out of your mouth?
There is no way around it . you’re not getting the best of the best..these are deportees for crying out loud. Not because you are seeking asylum automatically means you are a good person.
Many of these people are seeking asylum from powerful gangs, government oppression and the likes.not even the US know their history beyond their entry into the US and what they put on that asylum application.
Do you even know what’s going on here? These are people who’s asylum status are held up in the US courts, because their cases are yet to be determined in the courts, and right now the system is so backlogged and will take years for many of these applicants to get another court hearing, and hopefully one that is favorable.
And here is another problem you face with accepting these deportees..crime will go up, because many of these asylum seekers would be hunted easier if they are confined to a very small space like Antigua. What you will have, are bodies mysteriously vanishing..we already have a problem with missing people in Antigua, so that number will certainly to go up. Couple that with the uncertainty of their background, and you have major issues here.
This is what you’re facing here . Many of these people might not be full blown criminals, but many are certainly running from some powerful gangs in their original country.
So keep playing games and don’t try to understand the gravity of this situation.
It’s not that they are just criminals..it’s who might be coming for them. Some are witnesses to corruption and violent crimes by cartel gangs and gangs like MS13. These people will still continue to erase these witnesses.. don’t let it happen on our soul please…we do not need anymore blood on our hand. All you need to do is look back on the 1000 Africans and see how bad that went. Do not let history repeat itself, please.
This is no joke GB..Tread very carefully here sir.
You simply cannot accept anyone for those reasons alone.
I love Antigua, and this advice is given in good faith .this is not my typical criticism of you, this is a plea for you to say no.
One day I do want to retire in my island, but not when I feel safer in the city where I live, more than I would feel in Antigua..that’s no exaggeration.
Many a times I forget my garage door open, and the next day not even as much as a broom is missing. I have never owned a gun before or had the need to shoot one, that’s how safe I feel, that’s the same feeling I want to get when I visit Antigua, but it’s not..
Please listen to me sir, this is where you start if you want to save Antigua..deal with the fallout with the Donald when it comes,but it’ for now, this a far better decision.
Your good graces with the US will never recover with Trump in the White House, so you better stand firm on this one .Save Antigua from this, please..
And sorry for the long letter, but this is too important.
*soil*
Yeah lets get PEDOPHILES and RAPISTS and THIEVES but not PEOPLE WHO CHOSE TO PERFORM THEIR FREEDOM OF CHOICE WITHOUT INTERFERING WITH OTHERS. Homophobia is one of the first indicators of a country being BACKWARDS. He done saying this cause you brutally ignorant people still think being gay is a choice and an abomination and all that nonsense… CONSENT is the keyword here, but you can’t understand cause you daily abuse others!!!!
Now trump want send all de aids smaddy? Antigua don’t need no more antiman. The PM needs to accept the fact that the US will have a visa ban on Antigua and move on.
@Islanman26. Though I agree with you, we are talking about Gaston here. A man who believes in “running with the hounds and the hares”. Asking him to take a national stand solely and only for that purpose is like asking him to give up some of his personal wealth. He simply WONT do it.
To me Gaston is now throwing out different talking points to see which find favour with the broader public, to allow him to pass the blame around if and when the sh..t hits the fan.
My fellow Barbudans and Barbudans sympathizers: Wake Up!!
Have you noticed nothing is said about the housing of these US Deportees?
The Right Honourable Gaston Gaston has a Housing Development Plan for the US Deportees.
I contend there has been no rhyme or reason to build a new town all the way at Catel Hill farming lands in Barbuda with 350 units and a shopping Center with movie theatre.
The disappearance of The Canaroonians who were brought to Antigua as wealthy businessmen and women demonstrated how porous is our borders.
We are proposing Spanish as a second languish when fee of us know the languish.
Importing the worse of the worse of Deportees from any The US is an invitation to disaster.
The Antigua and Barbuda government may have little or no choice in the matter.
The Government needs to level with the people.
Too many things do not add up
@Mr Byam
CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON YOUR FOR THAT TYPE OF COMMENTARY!
Comrad Washy….lol let me just leave that story alone
Hmmmm I wonder how the LGBTQ community feel about that. I mean I’m sure they would have welcomes that so they can have a wider pool of prospects to choose from… Just saying
Yall welcome the LGBTQs here, now yall want to reject the larger amount? Should’ve been rejecting them since the beginning of time. Not only now they gotten comfortable and more are interested to come. Or now that you have to choose whether you want to accept deportees or not.
So true! We only know things after they are published by the media houses. So sad.
Good morning 🌞. Accepting deportees from the US shouldn’t just be a Cabinet decision. Before giving the American government the green light, our government needs to hold town hall meetings in every constituency to listen to the people. Yes, we voted for this government to run the country, but the people’s voices must come first on an issue this big. Let’s also remember that many of these deportees are not even native-born Antiguans and Barbudans.
@Juju,
Why do I think you are certain senior of Antigua News Room staff masquerading like a Bot
I agree with you gas ton .. them batty man need for buy a island and over populate it.. opps them can’t have babies because 2 man or 2 woman can’t have babies together.. so bulling or rubbing can’t light a fire ..
I agree with you gas ton .. them batty man need for buy a island and over populate it.. opps them can’t have babies because 2 man or 2 woman can’t have babies together.. so bulling or rubbing can’t light a fire ..
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda will not accept third-country nationals under any agreement with the United States unless they are thoroughly vetted, adding that the country should not be expected to receive additional LGBTQ asylum seekers or refugees
vs
Browne said his government’s position is based primarily on security, health and financial considerations rather than sexual orientation or gender identity.
Base on the above publication, how do you reconcile the above 2 statements as identified as being from PM Browne?
Sound like someone is confused
Gaston Browne is trying his outmost best to accept un desirable people from the USA so that Antiguans can get US visas. Just imagine. Say no to Trump and forget about their visa.. A new president will undo this demonic Act against caribbean countries