Prime Minister the Rt. Honourable Gaston Browne has tabled a resolution in Parliament outlining conditions Antigua and Barbuda says must govern any possible agreement with the United States to receive third-country nationals removed from American territory.

Browne said the country was willing to cooperate with Washington but insisted that any arrangement must protect Antigua and Barbuda’s sovereignty, security and quality of life.

“We understand that they have their unresolved migrant issue. We’re willing to cooperate,  but again, not to the extent that Antigua and Barbuda becomes a dumping ground for the immigrants,” Browne told the House of Representatives.

The resolution sets out principles to guide ongoing negotiations following a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between both governments in December 2025 on the possible transfer of third-country nationals.

Browne stressed that the MOU does not automatically require Antigua and Barbuda to accept any individuals, describing it as a non-binding framework that preserves the government’s authority to decide who enters the country.

He said the government’s main concern was ensuring that Antigua and Barbuda does not receive individuals who could pose a security risk.

“We have all criminal problems already and if we were to attract criminal elements in the United States, then evidently that could undermine our country’s development and obviously reduce the quality of life of the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” he said.

The prime minister also pointed to comments made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who previously said the United States was seeking countries willing to accept some of the “most despicable” people removed from the country, including convicted criminals.

Browne said those comments heightened concerns within Antigua and Barbuda.

“Clearly, the United States doesn’t want them there. We don’t want them here,” he insisted.

The prime minister acknowledged the unequal relationship between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States, noting the difference in economic size between the two countries.

However, he argued that small states still have the right to defend their interests.

“We cannot fight with the U.S. and succeed,” Browne said. “But what we do know is that we can stand maturely and speak to our national interests, our sovereignty, and to get a good deal.”

Browne said his government’s position was not based on hostility towards the United States, but on protecting national interests.

• The resolution states that Antigua and Barbuda will not accept an automatic or open-ended programme for the transfer of third-country nationals and that each individual must be considered separately.
• Under the proposed framework, the government would retain the right to approve or reject any person proposed for transfer.
• Browne said individuals with criminal records would not be accepted, except in cases involving immigration-related violations such as visa overstays.
• He said Antigua and Barbuda could consider accepting skilled individuals who have only breached immigration rules and could contribute to the country’s development.

“If we can get those types of persons who may have committed visa violations, then we will accept as many as we can, especially considering that we have certain skills shortages,” he said, listing nurses, specialist doctors and skilled construction workers among areas where the country needs support.

The prime minister said the government was also seeking financial guarantees from the United States to cover costs associated with any accepted individuals.

He said Antigua and Barbuda had indicated that it may require up to US$75,000 per person, arguing that the cost of living in the country was higher than in some other destinations.

“Antigua and Barbuda is an expensive country,” Browne said. “You have to understand you have to pay us more because the cost of living here is more expensive.”

The resolution requires that costs related to transportation, accommodation, healthcare, security, administration and possible return arrangements be covered through funding agreed in advance.

It also allows Antigua and Barbuda to suspend or end any arrangement if the government determines that it threatens national security, sovereignty or the country’s interests.

Browne said the decision to bring the matter before Parliament was to ensure transparency and create a public record of the negotiations. He said copies of relevant documents would also be placed in the national archives to prevent future disputes over what was agreed.

“We will be filing the information with the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda,” he said. “Any Antiguan or Barbudan who may be interested in getting the information can come to Parliament.”

The resolution does not approve any transfer of individuals to Antigua and Barbuda. It authorizes the government to continue negotiations with Washington within the outlined safeguards.

Browne said no final operational agreement would be signed until the government was satisfied that legal, financial, security and administrative arrangements were in place.