Cubans and Afghans deported from US arrive in Guyana

Georgetown, Guyana (AP) — Guyana's government announced on Saturday the arrival of the first six deportees from the United States under the Trump administration's third-country deportation system. Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud informed that the six nationals from Cuba and Afghanistan had landed on Friday, following a vetting process where they were confirmed to lack criminal records.

Persaud explained that the group's departure from the U.S. was primarily due to immigration issues. He further revealed that the agreement to host the deportees had been reached after months of negotiations. Persaud also confirmed to The Associated Press that the U.S. has not submitted any additional requests. This arrangement is set to last for a year and does not equate to permanent resettlement, according to Persaud.

The Assisted Voluntary Return Program participants will remain in Guyana while their immigration status is being determined, and they might eventually return to their country of origin or be moved elsewhere. The U.N. International Organization for Migration is tasked with executing the program, with the Guyana government stating that it will not cover any housing or support costs.

Guyana, a founding member of the 15-nation Caribbean Community, joins other member states such as St. Kitts and Nevis, Belize, and St. Lucia in receiving small groups of U.S. deportees.