Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and APNU Chairman, Aubrey Norton today said the Irfaan Ali Administration must halt all discussions with the US about Guyana accepting third country deportees and refugees until national stakeholders are consulted and a migration policy is in place along with requisite systems to support such a movement.

Third country deportees and refugees refer to those persons being deported by the US to a country other than their own home country.

News Source on Tuesday reported that Guyana is in advanced discussions with the US Government on a proposed agreement to bring third country deportees and refugees from the US to Guyana.

But in an interview with News Source today, Mr. Norton expressed concern that the Government has advanced discussions without first holding consultations.

“I do not know that we have the capacity to screen, and what is worse, it is being done outside the context of a migration policy. I think the first thing we need to do is develop a migration policy and this development of the migration policy should involve all the stakeholders including the political parties because in the final analysis it will have an impact on the Guyanese society,” Norton told News Source.

Norton said while the PNCR is not “against” migrants, it is skeptical about the acceptance of third  country deportees and refugees.

He added that at this stage the PNCR is not “disposed” to supporting the proposed arrangement but is willing to engage in meaningful consultation to ensure that there is clear policy in place.

The proposed agreement would see the US bearing all of the costs associated with the relocation of those being deported and those seeking refugee status in the US but were denied and have opted not to return to their home country. But Norton warned that the cost could be significantly higher than estimated.

“In addition there is need to do analysis of the cost. Because invariably the country would say they will pay the cost but the cost is ever rising and sometimes unpredictable and all of those things would have to be taken into consideration before we agree with any government to accept migrants, more so deportees,” Norton explained.

He said Guyana must be guaranteed that there would be no criminals included in the lot, and those coming must have good educational background and would contribute to the development of Guyana.

The PNCR Leader warned that in the absence of consultation, a proper policy and the requisite systems, such an arrangement could have a negative impact on the Guyanese population.

“We have to remember we are a small population and if you have a situation where migrants can hold the balance of power in Guyana, they don’t have to be more than Guyanese, they only have to hold the balance of power, and they can determine where it goes politically, that’s the first thing. The second thing is, we are in a society that is being called an oil rich society, and the resources are not meeting the people. We need first of all to develop a system to ensure that the people of Guyana can benefit and once we look at that, we can then see how we can help others,” Norton said.

He said Guyanese must be put first always.

News Source understands that under the proposed arrangement, Guyana would have the right to refuse any person or group of persons identified for deportation from the US.

 Additionally, a source told News Source that Guyana has already made it clear that its preference is for skilled persons who are without a criminal background.

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