At least two of the six individuals who arrived here last week as part of the Third Country Nationals Program have already decided that they will be going back to their original country, a feature available to them under the current arrangement.
St. Lucia, like some other regional territories, signed on to an agreement with the United States that would see the island welcome up to ten foreign nationals removed from the US mainland. In the first cohort, St. Lucia only received six of those chosen to be sent, primarily because the government rejected some who were listed for arrival, according to Foreign Minister Alva Baptiste.
Baptiste, speaking at the weekly government press briefing Monday, reiterated that the St. Lucia government was clear that no violent criminals were going to be part of the arrangement. In his attempt to allay the fears of the local public, the foreign minister insisted that the government would not compromise on security and that there no safety or security concerns. While addressing the many questions from journalists, Baptiste called for St. Lucians to refrain from entertaining propaganda surrounding this issue.
He further explained that even while the program is not permanent settlement, St. Lucia was in no position to finance this US initiative.
Some have leveled criticism at the government for its handling of the issue and agreeing to accept Third Country Nationals. In response, the foreign minister insisted that the agreement with the US was on the basis of mutual trust and that the governments participation did not show weakness but rather leadership.
He warned that St. Lucians must be careful when expressing views concerning tax payers’ monies in the aid of foreign nationals. He went on to highlight numerous local projects that were funded by foreign governments with their tax payers’ dollars.
With the first cohort already limited to six, with two already deciding to leave, it is highly unlikely that the prescribed quota of 80 over a two-year period will be met.