The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has raised significant concerns over the legality and timing of the Barbados government’s decision to allow CARICOM nationals from Belize, Dominica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines to live and work freely in Barbados starting October 1, 2025. Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne KC criticized the announcement as “tainted with illegality,” emphasizing that it lacked prior parliamentary approval. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Thorne reaffirmed the DLP’s support for regional integration and labor mobility but insisted that such policies must be firmly rooted in law. “Even a prime minister who believes she is all-powerful is still subject to the rule of law,” he stated, calling the decision an “arbitrary exercise of authority.” Thorne highlighted that the relevant immigration and citizenship bills are still under review by a Joint Select Committee on Governance, rendering any current actions by state agencies legally unsound. He urged government departments, including Immigration and the Barbados Revenue Authority, to refrain from implementing the policy until it is properly legislated. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Maxine McClean, echoed these concerns, stressing the importance of legal frameworks for effective regional integration. She also questioned the implications of Citizenship by Investment Programmes (CBIs), particularly in Dominica, where the number of passports issued far exceeds the population. Attorney-at-law Corey Greenidge provided a legal analysis, pointing out discrepancies between draft legislation and public statements by Prime Minister Mia Mottley. He raised concerns about the reduced citizenship qualifying period of six months and its potential impact on voter eligibility. Thorne reiterated that the DLP’s stance is not anti-regional but pro-law, urging Barbadians to engage with the Joint Select Committee’s work and participate in public consultations. He warned that the party would consider seeking judicial review if the initiative violates the law.