US deportee programme with SVG must be clearly defined says PM
St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has explained to the United States of America (USA) that any programme which involves third country refugees and deportees has to be clearly defined.
In a press conference in Kingstown on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Dr. Godwin Friday said that during the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community ( CARICOM) in St. Kitts Nevis last week, the deportee/refugee issue was discussed with representatives from the US Embassy in Barbados.
“…and I emphasize that if any such transit programme is to proceed- this is with the representatives from the Embassy in Barbados- that it must be clearly defined, transparent and manageable for a small island developing state,” the Prime Minister said.
He said he pointed out to the US representatives, that a country the size of St Vincent and the Grenadines and with its limitations, an agreement should specifically include, data regarding the volume of persons in transit, the specific time frames that they would be in transit, the legal status of individuals while on SVG’s soil, and comprehensive safeguards and plans for individuals who cannot be repatriated, “and this, we hope we don’t have that problem” and protocols to address domestic political and social sensitivities.
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