Saint Lucia is set to receive its first group of third-country nationals from the United States this week, as the Government starts a new arrangement that could bring up to 10 people to the island every three months.
The first group will include six people – five men and one woman. Minister for External Affairs Alva Baptiste confirmed that US personnel will accompany them, as he fielded questions from reporters about how the programme will work and what awaits the individuals once they get here.
The arrangement has been under discussion since last year. Baptiste said negotiations focused on what Saint Lucia could realistically handle, given its size and resources.
“There was a long gestation period where we were discussing with the United States of America what we can afford to do and what we cannot afford to do,” he said. “And in the spirit of partnership, we finally came to an agreement as to what the government in its soundness of judgement believed that it can manage.”
For now, only up to 10 people will be transferred every three months. This limit stays even if those being transferred are part of a family.
“The quantum is 10. Whether it’s a family of 10 or, you know, two families of five, but 10 per quarter,” Baptiste said.
The programme is expected to run for up to two years and will effectively serve as a trial period, giving the Government time to assess how the arrangement works in practice.
However, the arrival of the first group has raised questions about what will happen after they arrive, such as where they will stay, their immigration status, and if they might eventually settle in Saint Lucia.
One thing Baptiste ruled out is detention simply because they have been transferred under the programme.
“No, we cannot treat them as if they’re prisoners. We are going to receive them and treat them with respect. The same respect that we expect people from other countries to treat our people when our people go to them.”
The first arrivals are expected to work with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), while a committee involving External Affairs, Immigration and other relevant agencies is handling the local arrangements.
It is still unclear what will happen if someone decides to stay in Saint Lucia for a longer period.
“If at all anybody decides to stay, then this is a new conversation that we will have as to how we go about navigating that particular challenge,” Baptiste said.
Their legal status upon arrival is another issue the Government is working through. Baptiste said a “special dispensation” will be needed, and policy changes are expected to make sure people in the programme do not break Saint Lucia’s laws.
“This is all new to us. And we are going to grapple with it,” he said. “And we are not going to be secretive about that situation at all.”
The financial details of the arrangement also remains under discussion.
Saint Lucia has told the US what financial support it needs for the programme, but Baptiste declined to disclose the amount being sought.
“We have communicated the financial requirements to the United States of America in terms of us implementing that particular programme. So it’s premature to say to you that it’s not going to cost or it’s going to cost X or Y or Z.”
Baptiste said the Government had been honest with Washington about Saint Lucia’s financial limitations. He insisted that this country’s participation would not come at the expense of programmes intended for Saint Lucians.
“It’s almost a pilot project for us,” the minister said.
He added that the Government will share more updates as they learn how the arrangement is working.
