BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — The Barbadian government has indicated it may join neighboring Caribbean nations in establishing a formal refugee resettlement agreement with the United States. This potential arrangement would address situations where US authorities cannot repatriate asylum-seekers to their countries of origin.
Foreign Affairs Minister Kerrie Symmonds revealed that while formal discussions with Washington have not yet commenced, Barbados remains open to future negotiations. “I would like to think that we would not be left out,” Symmonds stated in an interview with Barbados TODAY, noting that the US government has been actively engaging Caribbean counterparts.
Several Eastern Caribbean nations have already committed to the initiative. Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis have confirmed signing agreements with the United States. Guyana has acknowledged ongoing discussions regarding similar arrangements.
Minister Symmonds emphasized that Barbados would approach any potential agreement cautiously, stating the government would “cross that bridge when the time comes.” He declined to specify potential conditions for Barbadian participation, though referenced security provisions implemented by neighboring states.
Antigua and Barbuda has reportedly excluded asylum-seekers with criminal records from its agreement, while Dominica has implemented safeguards against accepting individuals who might compromise national security or demonstrate violent tendencies.
The developments occur against a backdrop of heightened US immigration restrictions. The Trump administration recently expanded travel limitations to include twenty additional countries, including Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, effective January 1. Subsequently, the US State Department announced visa bond requirements of up to $15,000 for citizens from these nations seeking entry to the United States, a measure extending to Cuba and several African countries.