Saint Lucia will have the power to reject any individual proposed for transfer from the United States under a controversial third-country arrangement. External Affairs Minister Alva Baptiste insists that the agreement is non-binding and does not give Washington an automatic right to send people to the island.
Baptiste sought to clear the air on the agreement during Tuesday’s sitting of Parliament, revealing key safeguards governing who could potentially be transferred, how many people could arrive and what authority Saint Lucia retains.
Under the arrangement, the United States may propose individuals for transfer, but Saint Lucia has complete discretion to accept or reject each case. The US would also be required to provide available biographical, medical and criminal information before an individual is considered.
The operating procedures go further. Only individuals with final or expedited removal orders and medical clearance would be eligible for consideration. Unaccompanied minors, Saint Lucian citizens and people with known criminal records — except for immigration-related offences — are excluded.
The two governments also intend for no more than 10 people to be transferred per quarter, with Saint Lucia receiving advance notice and maintaining the authority to approve or reject proposed transfers before any flight leaves the United States.
Baptiste said the public explanation comes after months of what he described as “quiet diplomacy,” as Saint Lucia navigated an increasingly complicated international environment.
“We have practiced quiet diplomacy and we have the dual strategy of what is considered to be strategic patience and strategic silence,” Baptiste told Parliament, comparing the government’s approach to navigating turbulent conditions in aviation.
Discussions date back to July 2025, when US State Department officials met with ambassadors from several Eastern Caribbean countries operating Citizenship by Investment programmes. The US proposed arrangements allowing it to request transfers of certain third-country nationals, while participating states would retain the ability to decide whether to accept them on a case-by-case basis. US officials also argued that the agreements could help address migration concerns while easing calls for visa restrictions against Citizenship by Investment countries.
Following several rounds of negotiations, Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding in early 2026 establishing the framework for cooperation. Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre had previously addressed the arrangement in his New Year’s Address, stressing that the MOU does not automatically trigger transfers.
Funding also remains a key issue. Baptiste said Cabinet has approved a package of financial requirements that has been submitted to the US Embassy in Bridgetown, with the government now awaiting a response. The United States has also agreed to provide funding through an international organisation to support services for any individuals transferred, with discussions underway with the International Organization for Migration.
Baptiste maintained that Saint Lucia’s national interest will remain the deciding factor as discussions continue, declaring that the government would “do nothing that would jeopardize the national interest of St. Lucia.”
The government has promised further public updates as negotiations progress.
