Philip J Pierre. (Photo Credit: Office of the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia)
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has assured Saint Lucians that any possible acceptance of non-national deportees from the United States would come with strict safeguards.
At Monday’s pre-Cabinet briefing, he emphasised that individuals with known criminal records would not be permitted entry, and that health information on deportees would be shared with local authorities before any acceptance.
While details on housing or long-term arrangements remain unsettled, Pierre stressed that Saint Lucia would retain full discretion over who is allowed to enter.
These assurances come amid mixed public reaction to preliminary talks between Saint Lucia and the United States, with debate spilling across social media. Pierre has reiterated that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under discussion does not bind Saint Lucia to any agreement but simply opens dialogue between the two nations.
Veteran journalist and political commentator Earl Bousquet expressed hope that Saint Lucia will not ultimately be required to host deportees for extended periods.
Veteran journalist and political observer Earl Bousquet is hopeful that Saint Lucia will not need to keep any deportees on the island for an extended period. (Photo credit: earl Bousquet)
“By my understanding, this is an MOU and not yet a signed agreement, as stated more than once in the PM’s address,” he said. “Even if and when we do, I don’t think those persons who may be sent here left their countries to come to Saint Lucia, so we never know what will happen. Let’s just hope we don’t have to host any… but let’s see what the agreements say, if and when signed.”
No timeline has been attached to the talks, and Pierre has cautioned against sensationalism, noting that the full details of the MOU will not be disclosed because “that’s not how countries operate”.
Any third-party or user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries published on the St. Lucia Times website (https://stluciatimes.com) in no way convey the thoughts, sentiments or intents of St. Lucia Times, the author of any said article or post, the website, or the business. St. Lucia Times is not responsible or liable for, and does not endorse, any comments or replies posted by users and third parties, and especially the content therein and whether it is accurate.
St. Lucia Times reserves the right to remove, screen, edit, or reinstate content posted by third parties on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times (this includes the said user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries) at our sole discretion for any reason or no reason, and without notice to you, or any user. For example, we may remove a comment or reply if we believe it violates any part of the St. Lucia Criminal Code, particularly section 313 which pertains to the offence of Libel. Except as required by law, we have no obligation to retain or provide you with copies of any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times. All third-parties and users agree that this is a public forum, and we do not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website. Any posts made and information disclosed by you is at your own risk.
5 COMMENTS
Apparently ‘The mood is red’ was a warning the whole time. Pip is a mystery after all. Seems like not even he is aware of what he’s doing.
No Pierre , refuse that deal outright. Don’t move forward with this Mou under any circumstances. Let Trump use the visa privileges as he sees fit. This is not worth the future of this country. You are doing a disservice to this island. You are creating a problem that the island, it’s resources and it’s people are illequipped to handle. You are only obligated to host deportees that are St. Lucian born. No other. It is easy to check their birth records. Under the British system, we kept records. This has to be made clear that st Lucia under no circumstances will host deportees that do not belong to it. You have fools in Washington. But that aside, this is about the country, not you and the extremely poor overseas representation that this island favours.
Thy will never share the full details of the because if citizens know they will not stand for it. These guys will sell us and the country out to hold onto their US Visa. Shame. How do we benefit from taking in these people. How many people will be sent. When they are here will it be the tax payer who will have to house them. How long will they be here. They say that they will not accept anyone with criminal record. How will we as citizens know if these information are not shared. As far as I know the Us will send anyone. These are some of the questions I have.
These are the same aspersions y’all slung during the campaign but alas, y’all saw the results. 16-1. We are with our PM 100%. So move dere wife dat pappyshow!
The US is over x10,000 the size of little Saint Lucia with a trillion-dollar economy, but somehow, they can’t handle their refugees or return them home? Why are we inserting ourselves into their fascism? Why are we even entertaining the thought of this? Is it all for the CHANCE of obtaining a US Visa? That same Visa that can be taken away on a whim, as it is a privilege and NOT a right? How pathetic are we to grovel to a mere inconvenience. The only acceptable course of action to this is a resounding NO. This has far reaching impacts on all of us. If (likely when) this moves to a formal agreement, we the people ought to give consent, especially as NOBODY voted for this.
Apparently ‘The mood is red’ was a warning the whole time. Pip is a mystery after all. Seems like not even he is aware of what he’s doing.
No Pierre , refuse that deal outright. Don’t move forward with this Mou under any circumstances. Let Trump use the visa privileges as he sees fit. This is not worth the future of this country. You are doing a disservice to this island. You are creating a problem that the island, it’s resources and it’s people are illequipped to handle. You are only obligated to host deportees that are St. Lucian born. No other. It is easy to check their birth records. Under the British system, we kept records. This has to be made clear that st Lucia under no circumstances will host deportees that do not belong to it. You have fools in Washington. But that aside, this is about the country, not you and the extremely poor overseas representation that this island favours.
Thy will never share the full details of the because if citizens know they will not stand for it. These guys will sell us and the country out to hold onto their US Visa. Shame. How do we benefit from taking in these people. How many people will be sent. When they are here will it be the tax payer who will have to house them. How long will they be here. They say that they will not accept anyone with criminal record. How will we as citizens know if these information are not shared. As far as I know the Us will send anyone. These are some of the questions I have.
These are the same aspersions y’all slung during the campaign but alas, y’all saw the results. 16-1. We are with our PM 100%. So move dere wife dat pappyshow!
The US is over x10,000 the size of little Saint Lucia with a trillion-dollar economy, but somehow, they can’t handle their refugees or return them home? Why are we inserting ourselves into their fascism? Why are we even entertaining the thought of this? Is it all for the CHANCE of obtaining a US Visa? That same Visa that can be taken away on a whim, as it is a privilege and NOT a right? How pathetic are we to grovel to a mere inconvenience. The only acceptable course of action to this is a resounding NO. This has far reaching impacts on all of us. If (likely when) this moves to a formal agreement, we the people ought to give consent, especially as NOBODY voted for this.