US won’t punish Caribbean nations refusing third-country nationals, says St. Vincent Minister

The United States will not penalize Caribbean countries that refuse to accept third-country nationals (TCNs), according to St. Vincent and the Grenadines Minister of National Security and Immigration, St. Clair Leacock.

Leacock, who also serves as deputy prime minister and recently assumed the one-year chairmanship of the eight-member Regional Security System (RSS), briefed the media on responses from Washington following last week’s RSS meeting in St. Lucia.

TCNs are individuals who are not nationals of either the United States or the receiving Caribbean country. Since last year, the U.S. has intensified efforts to have Caribbean nations accept such individuals, sparking concerns about potential social and security impacts.

Leacock explained that Washington emphasized each country’s sovereign decision in accepting or rejecting TCNs, and that there would be no penalties for refusal. “If I can summarise what I’ve just read there to the listening public… they will not force you. … If you don’t want them, they will not force you, and there will be no penalties for not accepting refugees,” he said. “In the end, it will be left up to the Caribbean countries to accept and or reject deportees coming from the United States of America.”

He also detailed U.S. provisions for TCNs, including medical screenings, biometric information, nationality verification, and background checks. “The Department of Homeland Security would provide medical screening documents, biometric information, nationality, information regarding whether the person is accompanied, the date of birth, the sex, criminal record, or confirmation or lack of known criminal record to the extent known to the United States of America,” Leacock read from U.S. guidance.

On the role of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), he said, “IOM can support the immediate needs such as food, shelter and emergency medical care of such individuals. And this support can last up to one week. And during that period, IOM will counsel individuals on voluntary options to return to their home countries or another country that will accept them.”

Leacock also addressed legal status and duration of stay, citing the U.S. response: “The specific status is a decision each country will make. The United States expects that the receiving country will provide an appropriate immigration status or a legal accommodation for individuals transferred under the arrangement. It is each country’s decision whether to grant any individual a more enduring status in line with their own immigration laws and procedures.”

He concluded by reassuring the public, “If you do not want them, you will not be forced, and there is no penalty. Caribbean countries retain full discretion in deciding whether to accept these individuals.”

This clarification comes amid widespread concerns in the Caribbean over the social and economic impact of accepting deportees from the United States.