U.S. Expands Asylum Deals to Eastern Caribbean

In a significant shift for regional migration policy, the United States has secured agreements with Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda to host asylum seekers. Finalized on January 5, 2026, these deals extend the U.S. strategy of processing migrants in “third countries” rather than on American soil.

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A “Carrot and Stick” Diplomacy

The agreements appear to be a direct response to U.S. pressure. Both islands were recently hit with strict travel and visa restrictions that took effect on New Year’s Day.

• Dominica: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit framed the deal as a necessary collaboration to restore visa privileges for his citizens.
• Antigua and Barbuda: Signed a memorandum focusing on “shared responsibility,” though officials were quick to clarify that they would only accept individuals vetted for clean criminal records.

Strategic Objectives

The Trump administration is using these deals to achieve two goals simultaneously:

1. Outsourcing Asylum: Reducing the number of migrants entering the U.S. border by sending them to Caribbean partners for processing.
2. National Security: Pressuring Caribbean nations to reform their “Citizenship by Investment” (Golden Passport) programs, which the U.S. argues create security loopholes.

Rising Local Opposition

The deals have sparked immediate debate within the islands. Critics in Dominica, a nation of only 72,000 people, are questioning the logistical capacity of a small island to provide housing, healthcare, and legal processing for a sudden influx of foreign nationals.

While the U.S. is expected to provide financial aid to support these programs, the exact dollar amounts and the “quota” of migrants per island have not yet been made public.