Former Georgetown Mayor Pt. Ubraj Narine is demanding full disclosure and national consultation over Guyana’s agreement to accept a limited number of “skilled, non-criminal” third-country nationals deported from the United States, warning that the country’s sovereignty and national interests must not be compromised behind closed doors.
Narine’s call follows the Government’s announcement this morning that Guyana has concluded a migration cooperation framework with the United States to receive a limited, vetted number of third-country nationals through the International Organisation for Migration’s Assisted Voluntary Return Programme.
The Government has said Guyana retains the right to refuse any individual proposed for transfer.
Narine, however, said the arrangement is too consequential to be treated as a matter solely for government officials, insisting that Guyanese must know exactly what has been agreed.
“I strongly believe that this decision should never be allowed to happen without the full knowledge, consultation and approval of the Guyanese people.”
The former mayor is demanding that the Government disclose the terms of the agreement, including how many people could be sent to Guyana, their immigration status, who will be responsible for them and what safeguards have been put in place to protect national security and the welfare of citizens.
He questioned whether Guyana’s interests are being adequately protected in an arrangement involving Washington.
“The United States will always look after its own national interests, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But who is looking after Guyana’s interests?”
Discussions between Guyana and the United States over third-country nationals have been underway for several months.
Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud said in January that the two countries were developing a framework for accepting third-country nationals, while stressing that Guyana would retain the authority to refuse individuals proposed for transfer. Officials said the proposed beneficiaries would be skilled people without criminal backgrounds. The United States was also expected to cover relocation costs.
US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot subsequently said Washington viewed the arrangement as potentially beneficial to Guyana, pointing to labour shortages in sectors including hospitality, construction and driving.
Narine, a former Guyana Defence Force staff sergeant, remains sharply critical of the arrangement and warned against Guyana becoming a destination for people removed from the United States without adequate public scrutiny.
“Guyana is not anybody’s dumping ground, and our sovereignty cannot be traded away behind closed doors.”
He also rejected the notion that opposition to the arrangement should be reduced to partisan politics, calling on civil society, trade unions, religious organisations, professional bodies, community leaders and ordinary citizens to unite around what he described as a national issue.
“This is bigger than PPP, WIN, PNC, AFC, APNU or any other political organisation. This is about Guyana first.”
Narine is calling for peaceful protests until the full details of the agreement are made public and what he described as legitimate concerns over sovereignty, national security and the welfare of Guyanese are addressed.
The Government has characterised the arrangement as involving a limited and vetted number of skilled, non-criminal individuals, rather than an unrestricted deportation programme.
Narine nevertheless insists that the public must have a meaningful opportunity to scrutinise the agreement before it is implemented.
“Guyana belongs to Guyanese. Our sovereignty is not for sale, our country is not a dumping ground, and no foreign government should come before the interests of the Guyanese people.”
