Caribbean countries will not be forced to accept third-country refugees or deportees from the United States, Minister of National Security St Clair Leacock confirmed.
Addressing discussions from the recent RSS meetings regarding the US relocation of third-country nationals to selected Caribbean states, Leacock clarified the arrangement’s parameters.
“If you do not want and you did not accept, there would be no penalty,” Leacock stated, emphasizing that individual countries have complete autonomy to accept or reject the relocations.
For individuals who are accepted, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will support their immediate needs, such as food, shelter, and medical care for up to one week.
During this time, the IOM will counsel them on voluntary return to their home countries or to another accepting nation.
The US expects receiving countries to provide an appropriate immigration status, but the duration and specific legal conditions of their stay remain entirely up to the domestic laws of the receiving Caribbean country.