Antigua Open to Skilled Non-Criminal Deportees Amid U.S. Visa Proclamation

By Val Matthias. Updated 12:08 p.m., Sunday, January 4, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda is prepared to accept certain deportees or refugees from the United States, provided they are not criminals and possess skills that can contribute to the country’s development.  

Speaking on Pointe FM’s Browne and Browne Show on Saturday, PM Browne explained that the issue arose after Washington asked countries to sign agreements related to receiving deportees or refugees sent to third countries.  

“If they have refugees, or deportees for that matter, who may be involved in minor matters but have skills that can help us, we gladly take them,” Browne said. “However, we made it abundantly clear… we’re not taking the criminal refugees from the third country.”  

PM Browne noted that Antigua and Barbuda’s position was communicated to U.S. authorities’ months before the recent visa proclamation, which tightened requirements for countries cooperating on deportations. He said his government wrote to the State Department about 90 days ago, setting out its conditions.  

The proclamation, signed by President Donald Trump in December 2025 and effective January 1, 2026, placed Antigua and Barbuda under partial visa restrictions. Nationals face suspensions in categories such as business, tourism, student, and exchange visas, while existing visas remain valid. The U.S. cited concerns about Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs, arguing they could pose security risks.  

PM Browne emphasized transparency, stating that the matter was not kept from the public. “I’m reporting to my people. This is not supposed to remain as a secret,” he said.  

According to PM Browne, an agreement was eventually signed, but it preserves Antigua and Barbuda’s authority to decide who is accepted and requires intelligence sharing from U.S. authorities. “We signed an agreement which gives us the authority, not that we accept whomever, and that the United States will provide intelligence,” he explained.  

PM Browne stressed that the government’s approach reflects cooperation without compromising national security or sovereignty. “We continue to operate a government based on sound governance,” he said.  

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