St Lucia has become the latest Caribbean country to move forward with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States regarding the potential transfer of certain third-country nationals. 

The announcement came during a national address by Prime Minister Philip Pierre on January 2.

“This agreement is non-binding and is at the complete discretion of both governments,” the Prime Minister said. “The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation and does not trigger any immediate transfers. It is orderly, transparent, and consistent with the laws, policies, and national interests of St Lucia.”

Pierre stressed that while the MOU provides a mechanism for collaboration with the US, no agreement has been signed, and details of the arrangement remain unavailable. 

“As of today, there has been no information given to the Government of St Lucia regarding any changes in the United States visa policy for St Lucia and St Lucians wishing to travel to the United States,” he said.

The prime minister added, “I expect that there will be those who are supportive and those who are against providing such support to the United States, but I ask that you rest assured that I will always put you first and act in the best interests of the people of our beloved country, no matter how difficult the decisions may be.”

St Lucia joins a growing list of Caribbean nations entering into talks with the US to accept third country nationals. 

Dominica, Belize and St Kitts and Nevis have already signed MoUs while Antigua and barbuda and Guyana are currently in talks with the US.

During an appearance on his media engagement program “The Roundtable” on Janaury 8, Drew revealed his government had signed the MoU.

He said the agreement St Kitts and Nevis had was to only accept Caribbean Community nationals, with the exception of Haitians. 

“These CARICOM nationals, they are without violent or sexual criminal backgrounds. I think there might be different discussions with other jurisdictions, but in St Kitts and Nevis, the CARICOM nationals, excluding Haiti at this time for obvious security matters, and thirdly, these persons cannot be violent or sexual criminals, and it has to be agreed to between our partner, the United States of America, and St Kitts and Nevis,” Drew said.

The prime minister explained that the agreement allows for jointly developed operational procedures, including capacity-based limits and logistical arrangements, to ensure national security concerns are addressed.

He said these arrangements with the US is not a one size fits all and every jurisdiction will negotiate what suits them.