The government of Antigua and Barbuda has enacted a significant immigration amnesty program targeting non-nationals residing within the country. This policy initiative, formally approved during Wednesday’s Cabinet session presided over by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, addresses dual objectives of economic stabilization and humanitarian relief.
Prime Minister Browne justified the decision by referencing the nation’s current economic trajectory and robust employment landscape, indicating that labor shortages have emerged as a constraint on growth. The amnesty specifically targets individuals who have lapsed immigration status primarily due to financial difficulties rather than intentional violations of immigration laws.
Maurice Merchant, Director of Communications, elaborated that the program serves dual purposes: alleviating workforce deficiencies in key economic sectors while providing a pathway to legal status for affected immigrants. Qualified participants will receive penalty-free status regularization, granting them full legal authorization to reside and seek employment while enhancing their economic contributions.
Beyond individual benefits, the administration anticipates broader economic advantages through expanded labor availability during a period of heightened economic activity. Employers across various industries are expected to gain access to a larger pool of legitimate workers, potentially reducing operational constraints.
The implementation framework, including eligibility criteria, application mechanisms, and temporal parameters of the amnesty period, will be formally presented at the next Cabinet meeting. Immigration Minister Sir Steadroy Benjamin will jointly coordinate this presentation with officials from the Department of Immigration.