Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, has declared that the twin-island nation cannot absorb large numbers of third-country nationals being deported by Washington, amid growing pressure from the United States to expand the government's original offer.
According to Antigua News Room, Sir Ronald confirmed that Antigua and Barbuda had made a limited offer to assist the United States as a "gesture of good faith and good friendship," but was clear that the country's capacity had a firm ceiling.
"We put forward a certain number," he said. "We will play our part in trying to relieve the United States of the burden that it is facing. But we can do no more than that."
Sir Ronald indicated that discussions between both governments remain ongoing, but stressed that Antigua and Barbuda would not accept migrants from countries with which it has no established relationship — a move he warned could generate serious social and economic consequences for the small nation.
The Ambassador raised specific concerns about the practical challenges of integration, including language barriers and the recognition of qualifications and skills. He questioned how large numbers of incoming individuals would be housed, supported, and absorbed into Antiguan society.
"What would happen with them when they come to Antigua? Where would they go? Who would look after them? How would they be integrated into the society?" he asked.
Sir Ronald also cautioned that accepting numbers beyond what the government has offered could place unsustainable strain on the country's limited resources and potentially shift national demographics in ways that the local population would not support.
"The Prime Minister has offered a certain number that he would be prepared to absorb," Sanders said, adding that the government could not make decisions that would "put strain on our resources to the point where our own people would say, 'No, no, no, we're not doing that.'"
