Guyana Receives First Group of Cuban and Afghan Deportees Under U.S. Program

Guyana has welcomed six nationals from Cuba and Afghanistan deported from the United States under the third-country deportation program initiated during President Donald Trump’s administration. The group arrived in Georgetown on Friday, marking the South American nation’s first participation in this relocation initiative.

Background of the Third-Country Deportation Program

The third-country deportation program was established to relocate certain deportees from the U.S. to countries willing to accept them temporarily, rather than their countries of origin. This program primarily targets individuals removed due to immigration violations rather than criminal offenses. Since its inception, several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states have agreed to participate, with Guyana being the latest to receive deportees.

Guyana’s Role and Agreement Details

Guyana’s Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud confirmed that the six individuals arrived after thorough vetting processes that ensured none had criminal records. The government negotiated with the U.S. for months before finalizing the arrangement, which will last for one year and does not represent permanent resettlement. Persaud emphasized that the U.S. has not made additional requests for deportee transfers since this initial group arrived.

The detainees are now under the Assisted Voluntary Return Program, managed by the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM). This program provides a framework for their stay in Guyana while their immigration status is assessed, with possibilities including repatriation to their home countries or relocation elsewhere. Guyana will not incur costs related to housing or support for the deportees, as those responsibilities fall to the IOM and U.S. authorities.

Regional Context: Other CARICOM Countries Involved

Guyana joins several other Caribbean nations participating in the U.S. third-country deportation program. St. Kitts and Nevis, Belize, and St. Lucia have either already received deportees or are preparing to do so shortly. This regional cooperation signals an expanding approach to managing U.S. immigration deportations in the Caribbean, balancing humanitarian concerns with diplomatic negotiations.

Implications for Guyana and the Deportees

For Guyana, hosting these deportees showcases its willingness to collaborate on complex immigration issues within the region. The government’s stance highlights a cautious but open approach, ensuring that the deportees are properly vetted and supported during their temporary stay. For the deportees themselves, Guyana represents a transitional location where they await final immigration decisions that will determine their next steps, whether returning to their countries of origin or resettling elsewhere.

This development reflects ongoing U.S. immigration enforcement policies under President Donald Trump’s administration during its second term, emphasizing third-country solutions in deportation cases. Guyana’s participation underscores the evolving dynamics of international cooperation in migration management within the Caribbean basin.