The United Workers Party (UWP) is demanding greater transparency from the Government over Saint Lucia’s Third-Country National arrangement with the United States, raising questions about security screening, immigration status, costs and what happens if transferred individuals seek to remain on the island.
The concerns were raised during a UWP press conference on Tuesday, with party officials questioning several aspects of an arrangement that could see up to 80 people transferred to Saint Lucia over the next two years.
UWP Public Relations Officer Lenard “Spider” Montoute said the party’s biggest concern surrounds what it considers insufficient information about the programme, arguing that “what is most concerning and dangerous about the situation is the limited disclosure and clarification and the conflicting statements being made by our government officials.”
Montoute also questioned the long-term status of those transferred and whether any could eventually become citizens or permanent residents. Pointing to the potential arrival of approximately 80 people over the two-year period, he asked where they would come from and whether they would “be in sync with our values, our culture, our history and our outlook on life.” He also questioned how their presence could impact life in Saint Lucia.
His concerns were heightened by comments made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in 2025 while describing some undocumented immigrants the United States intended to deport. However, the Saint Lucia Government has maintained that it will not accept individuals with criminal backgrounds and says background information will be provided on all persons transferred to the island.
Opposition Senator Elisha Norbert said questions remain about how extensive that information will be and whether Saint Lucian authorities will have enough data to independently assess those entering the country. Norbert asked how Saint Lucians could be certain that individuals presented as having no criminal background did not previously have serious convictions that were later expunged.
He also questioned the security mechanisms that would accompany the programme, asking to what extent the United States would share information with local security agencies and whether “fingerprints, biometrics” would be recorded. Norbert further questioned whether Saint Lucia has a system capable of monitoring the activities of transferred individuals and whether international databases would be consulted before their arrival.
Leader of the Opposition Allen Chastanet turned attention to the financial implications of the arrangement, questioning where resources would come from to support the individuals while they are in Saint Lucia, particularly if some seek to remain. Chastanet argued that the Government’s approach “cannot be that it is about reacting to questions.”
Following the opposition press conference, the Office of the Prime Minister released a fact sheet addressing several aspects of the programme.
The Government said it has already informed the United States that resources required to provide services to Saint Lucian citizens cannot be allocated to the programme. Under the arrangement, the United States is expected to fund a competent international organisation to assist with services required by transferred individuals.
The Government also sought to address concerns that the programme could create a route to permanent settlement in Saint Lucia.
According to the fact sheet, the arrangement is principally intended to facilitate the movement of transferred individuals towards their countries of origin. Those who seek to remain in Saint Lucia will not automatically receive permanent residence, with any long-term immigration status instead having to be considered under Saint Lucia’s existing laws and policies.
