PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — On Monday, the United States struck a deal with Dominica to begin sending foreigners seeking asylum in the U.S. to the Caribbean nation. Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, referred to this agreement as “one of the primary areas of collaboration,” particularly following the recent implementation of partial U.S. visa restrictions against the country.
While details regarding the timing of the U.S. deportations to Dominica were not disclosed, Skerrit emphasized that discussions with U.S. State Department officials have focused on ensuring that the island does not accept individuals who pose a threat to its security.
Dominica, with a population of approximately 72,000, is facing concerns from locals about its capacity to handle an influx of asylum-seekers. Thomson Fontaine, leader of the main opposition party, expressed worries that the government has not clarified how many asylum-seekers will be accepted, where they would be housed, or how their needs would be met.
This agreement follows a trend seen during the Trump administration, which previously established similar arrangements with nations such as Belize and Paraguay as part of its broader strategy to manage asylum requests from Latin America and Africa.
Additionally, Antigua and Barbuda announced on the same day that it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the U.S. to assist with refugees present in its territory, clearly stating that they will not accept anyone with a criminal background. This collective effort indicates a regional approach to managing the complex issue of asylum and refugee responsibilities among Caribbean nations.