Caribbean-U.S. migrant relocation negotiations

Caribbean nations are negotiating bilateral agreements with the United States to receive third-country nationals removed from the U.S. Jamaica has finalized operational procedures for an agreement that would allow a maximum of 25 migrants from third countries to arrive every two weeks. Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith stated the plan includes safeguards to respect national capacity and ensure “safe, orderly, and legal migration.” The International Organization for Migration is expected to provide healthcare, counseling, and manage eventual returns. Antigua and Barbuda is nearing a similar agreement with the United States. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has countered a U.S. proposal to accept seven individuals per month by proposing a limit of seven individuals per quarter, which would cap annual transfers at 28 people. This counter-proposal includes requirements for valid travel documents and seeks guaranteed financial support through an international organization to coordinate services. The draft terms for Antigua and Barbuda specify that eligible individuals would primarily be nationals of CARICOM member states (excluding Haiti), as well as nationals from Brazil and Colombia. The proposal excludes Antiguan and Barbudan nationals, minors, and individuals with known criminal histories, except for those with U.S. immigration violations. The government would maintain the right to provide express written approval for each individual transfer, ensuring that silence does not constitute consent. Prime Minister Browne has emphasized that negotiations are close to completion, but the government is prioritizing the establishment of necessary funding and support arrangements before any transfers occur. He noted the importance of avoiding the mistakes of other nations that accepted individuals without securing adequate financial and operational support. Under the draft terms, the United States would be expected to fund a mutually acceptable international organization to coordinate services, such as local integration or voluntary repatriation.