Guyana and the United States are holding discussions on a possible framework that would see the South American nation accept third-country nationals from the U.S., Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud said on Monday.
“Guyana and the USA have been in productive discussions on a framework of understanding which is consistent with our national priorities and needs and supportive of the USA objectives,” Persaud told local media.
His comments came as Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica confirmed on Monday that they have agreed to accept a limited number of third-country nationals currently in the United States. The proposal was first raised by the U.S. in early 2025, when Washington approached friendly Caribbean nations and other partners about sharing responsibility for refugees and deportees who cannot be returned to their countries of origin.
Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced that his government has signed an agreement with the U.S. to facilitate the relocation of third-country refugees to Dominica in cases where the U.S. is unable to return them to their country of birth or origin.
“In our discussions with the State Department there has been careful deliberation of the need to avoid receiving violent individuals or individuals who will compromise the security of Dominica. This has been acknowledged and well received by the State Department,” Skerrit told a news conference.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne also confirmed his country’s participation, saying the twin-island nation has agreed to accept up to 10 non-criminal refugees, subject to screening and final approval by the government.
“We agreed to accept, possibly up to ten, non-criminal refugees, who may have skills that are in short demand locally. This is a goodwill agreement in which we will maintain the full discretion to accept or reject any recommended person,” Browne said.
He added that the U.S. has agreed to provide biometric information and details on any criminal history. Browne said Washington has invited more than 100 countries to assist in easing pressure on the U.S. immigration system by accepting a small number of refugees or deportees, noting that several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have already signed on.
While Guyana has not yet announced any agreement, Persaud’s remarks indicate that discussions with the U.S. are ongoing as regional governments weigh the security, economic and humanitarian implications of the proposal.
caribbeannationalweekly.com
