Guyana receives first six third-country deportees from United States
The Cuban and Afghan nationals have no criminal backgrounds, officials say, and the International Organization for Migration will cover the costs.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana. Guyana has received its first group of six non-national deportees from the United States under the controversial third-country deportation system, the government confirmed on September 5.
Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud said citizens should have no concerns about the six, nationals of Cuba and Afghanistan who arrived on Friday, as they had been fully vetted, had no criminal backgrounds and were being removed mainly over immigration issues.
He said the two sides had reached agreement after months of talks, "but the US has not made any further requests for any additional persons as yet."
Temporary arrangement
"The arrangement is temporary in nature and does not constitute permanent resettlement," a government statement said.
It said those relocated under the Assisted Voluntary Return Program do so voluntarily and will await decisions on their immigration status while in Guyana, after which they will return home or move elsewhere.
The agreement will run initially for a year. Guyana retains the right to review and reject any individual proposed by the US, the statement said.
Persaud said the Cubans should integrate easily because "we already have a large Cuban community in Guyana."
Who pays
The United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) will handle operations and implementation.
"The IOM will cover the costs of receiving, housing and supporting individuals relocated to Guyana," a joint statement said. "The government of Guyana will not bear the financial cost of the program."
Guyana, a founding member of the 15-nation Caricom, is the latest member state to receive small groups of such deportees. Others include St Kitts and Nevis, Belize and St Lucia, which was due to receive its first group this week, officials said.
Guyanese officials described the framework as reflecting a strong partnership with the US linked to "energy, trade, investment, security and diplomatic cooperation."
The government said it would work with the IOM, the UN refugee agency UNHCR and domestic stakeholders to ensure the framework is implemented in line with Guyana's laws and human rights obligations.
