WIN, FGM slam govt plan to settle US deportees

The opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) on Wednesday scolded the government for negotiating with the Donald Trump administration to take in nationals of other countries from the United States (US).

The main opposition WIN and the one-seat FGM, in separate statements, criticised the Irfaan Ali administration for holding talks about settling deportees or refugees here without parliamentary involvement.

“We are deeply concerned that such discussions continue without consultation with the Opposition Leader, without parliamentary scrutiny, and without debate in the National Assembly,” WIN said.

The FGM said any policy that substantially alters Guyana’s population profile or imposes new social responsibilities on the country’s institutions must be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and national consultation.

That party deemed moves by the government to pursue and conclude such an agreement a “direct affront to the sovereignty of the Guyanese people” in the absence of a functioning Parliament. “A decision that could transform the demographic, economic, and social fabric of our nation must not be made without parliamentary debate, without legislative approval, and without the input and understanding of the people in whose name sovereignty is exercised.

Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud confirmed on January 5 that the US and Guyana were holding “productive discussions on a framework of understanding which is consistent with our national priorities and needs and supportive of the USA objectives”.

Already, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Belize have inked accords to take in US deportees.

Grenada is also negotiating a similar pact with Washington.

The third country nationals relocation plan is part of the Trump administration’s strategy to remove unwanted migrants from the US.

The FGM challenged the government to reveal the contents of the proposed agreement in the 65-seat National Assembly and subject it to debate as well as hold consultations with stakeholders. “If the Government believes this agreement to be in the national interest, then it must publish the proposed terms, lay the matter before Parliament, facilitate full debate, subject the agreement to security and economic impact assessments, and consult widely with civil society, local communities, and the private sector. Anything less represents governance by secrecy and exclusion,” the FGM said.

Beyond obvious security concerns about taking people from the US with criminal backgrounds, the FGM said that with Guyana being a small and developing state, the impact of such a move on the population make-up must be among major considerations.  “This is a matter that touches directly on the future composition, stability, and security of our society. It therefore cannot be handled quietly or without clear disclosure to the people of Guyana,” the FGM added.

The FGM said Guyanese need to know who the migrants are that Guyana is being asked to accept, what independent verification systems exist to confirm their identities, backgrounds, and histories and what agency or authority in Guyana has evaluated the risks and long-term implications of receiving them.

Relatedly, the FGM said the government needs to inform about the security and administrative oversight of those persons. That party also said there are other questions about where the migrants would be placed on arrival in Guyana, whether communities and local authorities have been consulted and briefed and what arrangements are in place to support safety, social cohesion, and service delivery.

Other issues raised by that party are whether the US would provide financial contributions to support the migrants, what will happen after they end and who will be responsible for integration, long-term support as well as the scope and cost of housing assistance, social services, healthcare, education, and employment support.

The FGM said information is needed about where the migrants would live and if housing resources would be diverted from Guyanese who are already experiencing difficulty accessing land and affordable homes or will special settlements be developed.

The FGM said Guyanese must be told how the intended US-Guyana agreement on accepting nationals from third countries would benefit the people of Guyana in a measurable and sustainable manner, and how this has been assessed, documented, and approved.

For its part, WIN ruled out supporting any agreement for Guyana to accept third-country nationals from the US until the Ali-led government provides full disclosure, parliamentary oversight, and a clear plan that prioritises the well-being of Guyanese citizens.