UPP Leader Jamale Pringle

Pringle Says UPP Will Extend Legal Stay for Non-Nationals to Six Months

Jamale Pringle, political leader of the United Progressive Party, said a UPP government would extend the legal stay for Caribbean nationals from three months to six months, arguing the move would reduce costs and inconvenience for residents.

“Instead of having to run to immigration every three months for an extension, we will extend the duration of your legal time to six months,” Pringle told supporters at a rally, drawing applause from the crowd.

He added, “No longer our Caribbean brothers and sisters would have to run to the immigration department every three months,” saying the policy would save both time and money.

Pringle framed the proposal as part of a broader effort to make government more responsive, saying, “This people first administration will save you more time and money… that is what a caring government do for people who call Antigua and Barbuda home.”

The UPP leader also announced that work permits in the tourism sector would be made unrestricted, pushing back against what he described as misinformation about the party’s stance on non-nationals. “Our government will work for every single person living here in Antigua and Barbuda,” he said.

Beyond immigration policy, Pringle outlined measures aimed at young people, including a land audit to determine the amount of remaining Crown land and a plan to sell residential plots at no more than $5 per square foot to citizens under 35.

“We will be committed to sell that land in approximately 8,000 square feet plots… no cost greater than $5 a square foot, and it will be sold only to youth up to 35 years of age,” he said, adding that the party aims to allocate at least 2,000 plots over five years.

He also promised to end the practice of requiring homeowners to pay for utility infrastructure in new developments. “We will also do for our young people… is to end the practice of having you pay for APUA electricity poles and water pipes when you move into a new neighborhood,” Pringle said.

As an alternative to traditional housing, Pringle said the UPP would pursue public-private partnerships to develop affordable multi-level townhouse communities with shared amenities such as gyms and playgrounds.

Throughout the speech, Pringle maintained that the party’s message — “government must work for you” — is gaining traction among undecided voters. He claimed that more people are shifting their support toward the UPP ahead of the April 30 general election.

He urged supporters to mobilize and vote, saying, “Nothing will come to us. We have to go and fight for it,” as he called for the removal of the current administration and a return to what he described as “glory days” under UPP governance.