ANTIGUA-Antigua and Barbuda proposes limits on possible US transfer arrangement.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The government of Antigua and Barbuda has proposed limiting a possible arrangement with the United States to nationals of selected Caribbean countries, Brazil and Colombia, according to draft operating procedures outlined publicly on Saturday.

Under the draft, the United States could propose nationals of Caribbean Community countries, except Haiti, as well as nationals of Brazil and Colombia.

Any person from another country could be proposed only with the Antigua and Barbuda government’s prior written agreement.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, speaking on local radio, said his administration had revised terms submitted by Washington and was now awaiting a response from the United States.

He made clear that the nationality restrictions form part of Antigua and Barbuda’s counterproposal and have not yet been accepted by Washington.

The draft would exclude citizens and nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, people under 18, and individuals with a known criminal history, except for breaches of US immigration law.

Even those who meet the proposed nationality requirements would not automatically be eligible for transfer.

Each person would need to hold a valid passport and have a realistic and lawful means of returning to their country of nationality or traveling onward to another destination.

Antigua and Barbuda would also retain the right to approve or reject each individual in writing before any transfer takes place.

The proposed procedures would cap transfers at seven people in any three months, while making clear that the government would not be obligated to accept a minimum number.

Browne did not say why Brazil and Colombia were included in the proposed arrangement or why it excluded Haitian nationals. No transfers have been announced under the revised proposal.