The United States reached a deal with Dominica on Monday to start sending foreigners seeking US asylum to the small Caribbean nation, after pressure from the Trump administration, which included visa restrictions.
Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit described the deal as “one of the primary areas of collaboration” after the country was recently hit with partial visa restrictions and US entry limitations.
Skerrit did not provide any other details, including how soon the US would start sending asylum-seekers to Dominica. The Dominican premier however noted that during discussion with the US State Department, restrictions were placed on those with violent backgrounds.
“There have been careful deliberations of the need to avoid receiving violent individuals or individuals who will compromise the security of Dominica,” said Skerritt.
The announcement left many locals concerned, according to leader of the country’s main opposition party, Thomson Fontaine, on whether the small Caribbean country with a population of roughly 72,000, has enough resources to absorb asylum-seekers.
“The prime minister still has not told the Dominican public what exactly he has agreed to, in terms of the numbers of persons that are going to come to Dominica, where will they be housed, how will they be taken care of,” Fontaine told the Associated Press.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has signed similar deals with countries, including Belize and Paraguay, as it continues to pressure countries in Latin America and Africa to take asylum-seekers.
Antigua and Barbuda also announced on Monday signing a non-binding memorandum of understanding proposed by the US “as part of its global efforts to share responsibility for refugees already present in its territory.”
Local government officials said Antigua and Barbuda would also not be accepting anyone with a criminal record.
Last month, the Trump administration announced it was expanding travel restrictions to an additional 20 countries, including Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, the sole Caribbean nations on that list. The restrictions came into effect on New Year’s Day.
