Prime Minister Gaston Browne has proposed that the United States pay approximately US$75,000 for every third-country national Antigua and Barbuda agrees to accept under a possible migrant transfer arrangement, according to Antigua Observer.
Browne made the proposal during Tuesday's parliamentary debate on the government's White Paper, stressing that the figure remains tentative and subject to further negotiations and a detailed cost assessment.
"My understanding is that they have given between US$25,000 and US$50,000 to some countries per individual," Browne told Parliament. "I've said to them Antigua and Barbuda is an expensive country, so we may want to consider about US$75,000 per head."
The proposed figure is equivalent to approximately EC$202,500 per person accepted.
Browne said the government would first quantify all likely costs before formally advising Washington of the amount it considers reasonable. He identified accommodation as one of the largest anticipated expenses, arguing that suitable housing could cost at least US$2,000 per month.
"Rent in Antigua and Barbuda is not cheap," the Prime Minister said, adding that the country's comparatively high cost of living justified receiving more financial support than lower-cost jurisdictions.
The proposed payment would not simply represent compensation for accepting individuals. Under the government's proposed safeguards, the United States would be expected to cover accommodation, healthcare, welfare, security, administration, possible onward travel, and any arrangements required to return a person to their country of origin.
Foreign Affairs Minister EP Chet Greene told Parliament that all financial responsibilities would have to be settled before anyone departed the United States and enshrined in a binding written agreement.
"Antigua and Barbuda would not become responsible for the costs arising from another country's immigration policy," Greene said. He insisted that the burden must not be transferred to local taxpayers through informal promises or incomplete funding arrangements.
The proposed funding is one element of ongoing negotiations over a US request for Antigua and Barbuda to receive nationals of other countries being removed from American territory. The government signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the United States in December 2025, but Browne said several subsequent versions of operating procedures were rejected as unacceptable.
Under Antigua and Barbuda's counterproposal, no person would be accepted automatically. Each case would require prior government approval, and the country would retain the right to reject any individual without providing an explanation.
The government has also ruled out accepting individuals with serious criminal records, unaccompanied minors, and those with unresolved asylum or protection claims. Immigration-related violations would be assessed separately, particularly where an individual possesses skills that are needed locally.
Full medical, criminal, biometric, and biographical information would be required before any person is considered for acceptance.
The United States had initially proposed transferring up to 10 people per month. Antigua and Barbuda rejected that proposal and countered with a maximum of 10 people for the entirety of 2026, to be followed by a full review before any further arrangement is considered.
Browne made clear that the US$75,000 figure has not been agreed upon and that Cabinet must retain sufficient flexibility to negotiate the final terms.
