Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda will not accept third-country nationals under any agreement with the United States unless they are thoroughly vetted, adding that the country should not be expected to receive additional LGBTQ asylum seekers or refugees.
Speaking on the _Browne and Browne Show_ on Saturday, Browne said he had been informed that two of the three third-country nationals recently accepted by St. Kitts and Nevis identify as LGBTQ.
“I’m told the three that were sent to St. Kitts, two of them are LGBTQIAs,” Browne said, adding: “We have enough of those here.”
His comments came as he discussed negotiations between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States over Washington’s request that Caribbean countries accept a limited number of third-country nationals who cannot readily be returned to their countries of origin.
Browne said his government’s position is based primarily on security, health and financial considerations rather than sexual orientation or gender identity.
“We do not want people who are criminals. We don’t want people who are sick. We do not want anyone who is going to become a charge,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Antigua has insisted that anyone accepted under such an arrangement undergo comprehensive security and medical screening before arrival. He added that the country has also requested that all individuals arrive with valid travel documents rather than temporary documents issued by U.S. authorities.
According to Browne, Antigua has indicated it could consider accepting up to 10 third-country nationals each year, provided they have no serious criminal history, do not pose a security or public health risk, and satisfy the government’s vetting requirements.
He argued that Antigua’s limited resources make it difficult to absorb individuals who may require long-term government assistance after any temporary support from the United States expires.
Browne said the government would continue negotiating with Washington while maintaining Antigua and Barbuda’s sovereign right to determine who is permitted to enter and reside in the country.
The discussions form part of broader negotiations between the United States and several Caribbean governments over accepting third-country nationals who cannot be repatriated to their countries of origin as part of Washington’s immigration enforcement strategy.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: PM Browne Says Antigua Has "Enough" LGBTQ People Amid U.S. Talks.