The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has confirmed for the first time that it signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the United States in December 2025 concerning the possible transfer of third-country nationals removed from the U.S., while emphasizing that the agreement does not require the country to accept any deportees.
The disclosure appears in the Government’s White Paper on the proposed arrangement, which states that the memorandum was signed on Dec. 19, 2025, as a framework for discussions between the two countries.
According to the White Paper, the memorandum does not establish a permanent programme for accepting third-country nationals and creates no legal obligation for Antigua and Barbuda to receive anyone transferred by U.S. authorities.
Instead, it provides that the United States may propose individual transfers, while Antigua and Barbuda retains complete discretion to consider each request on its own merits and may accept or reject any proposal.
“The Memorandum of Understanding is expressly non-binding,” the White Paper states.
“It does not create a standing programme of admissions. It records only a framework for possible cooperation under which the United States may propose transfers and Antigua and Barbuda may, in its complete discretion, consider accepting such proposals in whole or in part on a case-by-case basis.”
The Government also revealed that, following the signing of the memorandum, the United States submitted several draft operating procedures intended to implement the arrangement.
However, Antigua and Barbuda says those proposals evolved into a more extensive programme than originally contemplated and raised significant concerns for the Government.
According to the White Paper, the U.S. drafts proposed monthly numerical ceilings for transfers, expanded the categories of eligible individuals, shortened notification timelines and left unresolved key issues relating to funding, legal status, settlement responsibilities and the return of individuals if necessary.
Government says those concerns prompted it to reject the operational drafts and instead develop its own counter-proposal designed to protect Antigua and Barbuda’s sovereignty, legal obligations and limited capacity.
That counter-proposal would preserve the country’s complete discretion over every proposed transfer, limit the arrangement to no more than 10 individuals in 2026, require full funding by the United States before anyone departs, and exclude people with pending asylum claims, expedited removal orders or criminal records beyond immigration violations.
The White Paper also notes that the memorandum requires the United States to provide biographical, medical and criminal information on proposed transferees to the extent permitted by law and affirms that both governments are expected to comply with their international legal obligations, including refugee law and the principle of non-refoulement. It further allows either country to terminate its participation, while endeavoring to provide 90 days’ written diplomatic notice.
Government says it engaged the United States because of the longstanding relationship between the two countries and because several Caribbean states have entered into similar arrangements.
Nevertheless, the White Paper stresses that Antigua and Barbuda has not agreed to become a destination for third-country deportees and will not accept a standing transfer programme.
“The Government’s present position” is that any future cooperation will occur only on a strictly case-by-case basis, with no obligation to receive any person proposed by the United States unless all of Antigua and Barbuda’s conditions are met in advance.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: White Paper Reveals Antigua Signed Non-Binding U.S. Deportee Agreement in 2025.