The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has sought to clarify its engagement with the United States regarding the possible acceptance of a limited number of third-country nationals, including refugees, saying no binding or secret agreement exists.
In a statement on January 5, the government said it has not entered into any agreement with the United States to accept deportees or refugees.
Instead, it said discussions relate to a proposed, non-binding Memorandum of Understanding put forward by the United States as part of its broader effort to share responsibility for refugees already within its territory.
“Antigua and Barbuda has not entered into any binding agreement with the United States to accept deportees or refugees,” the government said.
“Antigua and Barbuda was approached by the United States, along with more than one hundred governments worldwide, including several within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), to consider this non-binding arrangement.”
The statement said the United States currently hosts the largest number of refugees globally, many of whom cannot be returned to their countries of origin due to risks of harm or persecution.
The government noted the talks aren’t new as more than 100 countries, including several in the Caribbean Community, were approached by the US to consider similar arrangements.
The statement stressed that the understanding creates no legal obligation, commits the country to no quotas or automatic acceptance of individuals, and can be terminated at Antigua and Barbuda’s sole discretion.
The government said Antigua and Barbuda would retain full national control under the proposed understanding, including the right to reject any individual, to assess all cases on a case-by-case basis, and to refuse anyone with a criminal record.
If the deal was to do forward, Antigua and Barbuda said it would only accept 10 people per year.
The government also said it not agreed to accept deportees or act as a repository for individuals rejected elsewhere, stating that any consideration would apply only to lawfully screened third-country nationals already in the United States and only after intelligence vetting and national security assessments.
The government said the Prime Minister and Attorney General authorised consideration of the understanding as a good-faith diplomatic gesture, noting that it does not involve any surrender of sovereignty, transfer of authority, or loss of control over borders or national security.
The statement added that Antigua and Barbuda is also engaged in discussions with the United States on other matters, including the restoration of normal visa issuance and renewals for Antiguan and Barbadian nationals, as well as technical issues related to biometric standards and international identity assurance.
The government called for responsible public discourse, reiterating that Antigua and Barbuda remains fully sovereign nation, and that it will continue to act transparently and in the best interests of its people.
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