The Government of Guyana announced on Saturday morning that it has concluded a migration cooperation framework with the Government of the United States of America. As part of the framework, Guyana will receive a limited, vetted number of skilled and non-criminal individuals through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Assisted Voluntary Return Programme, a statement from the Guyana Government said.

The persons to be deported to Guyana as part of the framework are not Guyanese nationals, but are rather nationals of other countries who may not want to return to their home countries.

In its statement, the Government of Guyana said as part of the framework, Guyana retains full discretion to review and reject any individual proposed for relocation.

The United States will bear the full cost of the relocation process, and the Guyana Government says it intends to accept only individuals who have chosen relocation to Guyana of their own volition.

The International Office of Migration, which is the UN Migration Agency, will be responsible for the operational implementation of the programme.

“IOM will cover the costs of receiving, housing and supporting individuals relocated to Guyana, and will provide the services needed for their integration, including access to communication with legal representatives and family members. The Government of Guyana will not bear the financial cost of the programme, and IOM has confirmed it will not assume, and this arrangement will not transfer to it, any of the Government’s responsibilities concerning admission, legal stay, protection or removal”, the statement explained.

The statement said the Guyana Government has framed the arrangement as an extension of Guyana’s longstanding commitment to human rights and international cooperation, and that the Guyana Government insisted that individuals relocated to Guyana must retain the right to seek international protection where applicable, and the IOM will support the referral of such cases to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in coordination with the relevant Guyanese authorities.

The Government said it has also confirmed regular, effective and sufficiently private access to communication with legal representatives and family members.

“The arrangement is temporary in nature and does not constitute permanent resettlement. Individuals relocated to Guyana under the Assisted Voluntary Return Programme do so voluntarily and will await the outcome of their immigration status determination while in Guyana. Depending on the outcome, individuals will either return to their country of origin or relocate elsewhere of their choosing. Their presence in Guyana is governed by a set of pre-defined terms rather than open-ended residency”, the statement said.

According to the Government of Guyana, the framework is the latest expression of the steadfast partnership between Guyana and the United States, which it says has “blossomed” under President Irfaan Ali across energy, trade, investment, security and diplomatic cooperation.

“It reflects the strength and maturity of the bilateral relationship and Guyana’s standing as a trusted and constructive partner to the United States in the region”, the release noted.

The Government of Guyana said it will continue to work closely with the IOM, the UNHCR and relevant domestic stakeholders to ensure the framework is implemented in a manner consistent with Guyana’s laws, its human rights obligations and its national development priorities.

Related posts:

US Ambassador sees benefit for Guyana in accepting skilled third-country deportees PNCR calls for consultation with national stakeholders before any agreement to accept third country deportees and refugees Guyana in advanced discussions with US to accept third country deportees and refugees President says Government discussing movement and flight of people with US but no agreement on accepting third country deportees