Antigua and Barbuda accepted the return of five of its citizens deported by the United States between March 2025 and June 2026, Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin disclosed Tuesday as Parliament debated a resolution establishing principles for any future agreement on the transfer of third-country nationals.
Benjamin said the five individuals were deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and that accepting them was the government’s responsibility because they are Antiguan and Barbudan nationals. He drew a distinction between those deportations and ongoing discussions with the United States about the possible transfer of non-citizens removed from U.S. territory.
“Between March 2025 and June 2026, this country accepted all five nationals identified by ICE for deportation,” Benjamin told lawmakers. “That is our responsibility towards our own citizens.”
The attorney general made the disclosure while defending the government’s approach to negotiations with Washington, stressing that Antigua and Barbuda has always fulfilled its obligation to receive its own nationals but is under no legal duty to accept third-country nationals.
Benjamin said Parliament was not being asked to approve a final agreement with the United States because no such agreement currently exists.
“The White Paper is not presented as a complete agreement, nor is this House being asked to approve a conclusive operating agreement. None exists,” he said.
Instead, he said lawmakers were being asked to endorse the principles that would guide future negotiations while leaving the Executive with sufficient flexibility to negotiate improved terms.
“The role of this Parliament is to determine the governing principles and the limits within which the Executive may proceed,” Benjamin said.
He reiterated that Antigua and Barbuda would retain complete discretion over any proposed third-country national, with no automatic admissions under any future arrangement.
Benjamin said any final agreement would have to ensure that individuals with criminal records, unresolved protection claims or incomplete documentation are excluded, while all financial obligations associated with any transfer would have to be guaranteed in writing before anyone arrives in Antigua and Barbuda.
The attorney general said those safeguards are intended to protect the country’s sovereignty, security and legal obligations while allowing the government to continue discussions with the United States under a clear parliamentary mandate.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda Accepted Five Deported Nationals From US Since March 2025, AG Reveals.