Saint Lucia is preparing to receive the first six third-country nationals under its controversial migration agreement with the United States.

Five men and one woman are expected to arrive on the island this week as part of a two-year pilot programme allowing Washington to propose the transfer of certain migrants to Saint Lucia. Their nationalities have not been disclosed.

Under the agreement, US authorities may propose up to 10 people each quarter, potentially amounting to 40 people annually. However, the Saint Lucian government retains the right to review and reject individual cases.

The first arrivals come amid public concerns about where participants will live, their legal status and the potential cost of the programme.

Government officials have stressed that participants are not being transferred to serve prison sentences and will not automatically qualify for permanent residence or citizenship.

Unaccompanied minors, Saint Lucian nationals and people known to have criminal records, excluding immigration-related offences, are reportedly ineligible.

The International Organization for Migration is expected to provide support, with voluntary return to participants’ countries of origin among the possible outcomes.

Saint Lucia has also asked the United States to provide financial assistance, arguing that local taxpayers should not bear the cost or see resources for citizens diverted to the programme.

Financial negotiations remain ongoing, and neither the amount requested nor the programme’s projected overall cost has been disclosed.

The arrival of the first six participants will mark the programme’s transition from planning to implementation, likely intensifying scrutiny over how the agreement operates and its financial impact on Saint Lucia.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Saint Lucia to Receive First Six Migrants Under Controversial US Agreement.