St. George MP Watts questions transparency, safeguards in proposed U.S. refugee arrangement
St. George MP Algernon Watts on Tuesday night delivered an extensive critique of the government’s proposed refugee and deportee arrangement with the United States, raising a series of questions about transparency, costs, social impact and national sovereignty during a virtual rally hosted by the United Progressive Party.
Watts said the government failed to provide a national briefing, a parliamentary statement or any form of public consultation before the arrangement was disclosed, arguing that the public only learned of it after the fact.
“We did not get a clear national briefing first. We did not get a parliamentary statement first. We did not get a consultation first,” Watts said. “What we got was a confession after the fact.”
Referring to the prime minister’s admission that correspondence with the U.S. State Department took place months earlier, Watts questioned why the matter was not disclosed sooner. “If you have to say it wasn’t supposed to be a secret, obviously it was handled like a secret,” he said. “You can’t hide it and then slide it.”
The St. George MP challenged government assurances that the arrangement would operate on a case-by-case basis, include a cap of 10 persons per year and exclude criminals. He argued that such assurances, without a written framework, offer little protection.
“A cap is not a plan. A slogan is not a safeguard,” Watts said. “Trust me, especially coming from a habitual liar, is not a national policy.”
Watts warned that decisions made without transparency erode public trust and create fear and division in small societies. “When decisions like these are made in back rooms, the first thing that collapses is trust,” he said. “When trust collapses, society becomes rumor-driven, fear-driven and divided.”
He repeatedly questioned how refugees or deportees would be accommodated and supported, asking who would bear the financial and social costs. “Where will these people be housed? Who will be paying the rent? Who is paying for the medical screening? Who is paying the long-term care if there are chronic conditions? Who is paying for counseling if there’s trauma involved?” Watts asked.
According to the MP, the lack of a clear plan would shift the burden onto ordinary citizens and public services. “When the government has no plan, the burden falls on you, the citizens,” he said. “The burden falls on our overstretched clinics, the overstretched social workers, the overstressed communities and the same working-class Antiguans who already can’t catch a break.”
Watts also questioned accountability if something goes wrong under the arrangement. “If something goes wrong, it won’t be handled in Washington,” he said. “It will be handled in Grays Farm, in Point, in Bendals, in St. John’s City, in St. George. It will be handled by our police and our hospital.”
He pressed further on responsibility, asking, “Who is responsible if someone slips through the net? Who is accountable if a mistake happens?”
Beyond immediate concerns, Watts warned about the long-term implications of precedent. Even if current limits are maintained, he said, future expansions could occur without public consent. “Once Antigua becomes a third-country option, mechanisms expand,” Watts said. “Exceptions multiply, and soon 10 becomes 20, 20 becomes 40, 40 becomes 80, and 80 becomes permanent.”
Watts linked the issue to broader concerns about Antigua and Barbuda’s relationship with the United States, noting recent U.S. visa restrictions and proposed visa bond requirements affecting Antiguans. “While Antiguans are being squeezed abroad, our government is telling us that we have to accept arrangements that can bring new pressures on us,” he said.
He called on citizens to demand full disclosure of the agreement, including draft memoranda, legal authority, costs and administrative responsibility. “Where is the full written agreement? Where is the legal framework? Who pays the full cost of the housing, the health care, the security, the administration?” Watts asked.
Watts also urged the government to commit in writing that no expansion of any cap would occur without public consultation and a parliamentary vote. He stressed that his position was not anti-migrant but focused on national interest.
“We are not anti-anybody. We are pro–Antigua and Barbuda,” he said. “Antigua and Barbuda is not a warehouse. It’s not a storage room. If you want our cooperation, earn our consent. Govern in daylight, not in secrecy.”
The MP ended his remarks by calling for what he described as an end to secretive decision-making, urging supporters to continue pressing for transparency and accountability.
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Antigua has to do what Trump want’s because we were doing bad thing….Maduro, China, CIP, Neutral, Trini Pm is a drunk etc……The government said hey send the refugees we spoke of as our punishment and Trump said i’ll give u some VISA restrictions as well….
Why allow this WASTE MAN to speak??? One pupah tree 🌳 a he contribution to Food Security.
He done say he nar run again. Let the new candidate speak, not that snake
Marvellous! You see the UPP do exist in the media world.
Even the earlier negative comments by the ABLP acolytes and Gastonites cannot ignore the fact that the UPP’S coverage has been taken no notice of over the past.
Even though today’s positive coverage is good news for us supporters, we know it will be a fleeting one, until the ABLP commence flooding the airwaves with their one-sided propaganda media machine once again.
So, let’s enjoy and rejoice in this positive coverage for the UPP, because it isn’t going to last long before they are blamed once more for the ABLP’S disastrous mistakes.
Watch and observe…
Well said Mp watts!
Naysayers listen, hush up and listen!
Pay attention to what he’s saying!
🤔
Don’t be a useful idiot 🙄
Welcome back mr.knight 😊
@Brixtonian
These issue gives UPP a platform to make their case that Gaston Browne needs to go.
With Pringle at the helm; UPP has no chance against Gaston, as bad as Gaston may be.
The people who are propping up Pringle, are doing so for their own selfishness.
Time for those individuals who repeat the stupid statement: “Pringle is the duly elected leader” to cease that nonsense.
He got to the position by default. Not by any leadership skills. Pringle is leading his best life; and only keeps that position by a number of dishonest people around him with selfish intent and reasons.
Pringle is a leader by nefarious means. Some of these individuals who fight for Pringle as well as advise are hoping to get big positions in a Government should Pringle become PM.
Are they any different from the Gastonites who are living high on the hog at poor peoples expense?
Those who wants the ALBP and Gaston Browne out the office, need to get real.
Pringle lacks what it takes to lead the UPP to victory.
As a leader and a PM, Pringle would be a disaster.
The Antigua and Barbuda people have seen enough, and are yearning for good governance.
They will elect a party leader who is able to articulate sound ideas for policies of good governance; economic educational and social growth; and not one who fumbles, and is guided by selfish ambition of his advisors snd consultants.
One could not imagine the political opportunity presented to Antigua and the UPP by the geopolitical situation created by Trump, and can’t imagine how the UPP is are squandering this short opportunity.
If it one thing serpant prove is that wearing glasses don’t make you studious or smart!!
If you like illiteracy and stupidity, just pay attention to the hecklers of the ALP. With all the ills committed by that Mob against Antigua and Barbuda, they can only make personal attacks on the UPP members but cannot refute any of the allegations. These people are supporting lawlessness in the country by guarding and assisting a SERIAL THIEF. The noose is certainly closing in on his neck, hence their attitude.