Guyana has finalised a one-year migration cooperation framework with the United States Government. Under the framework the country retains complete discretion over which individuals it accepts.
The framework is implemented through the International Organization for Migration’s Assisted Voluntary Return Programme. Under its terms the United States Government bears the full financial cost of relocation. The IOM funds and manages reception, housing, healthcare access, and other support services for the duration of individuals' stay under the framework. The government has said the arrangement does not constitute permanent resettlement, and those relocated will remain in Guyana only while their immigration status is determined. After their immigration status is determined, relocated individuals may return to their country of origin or relocate elsewhere.
The framework's first cohort of individuals arrived in Guyana on 4 September. All were vetted by Guyanese authorities before being accepted, and were confirmed to have no criminal records.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, in an interview with Al Jazeera, said the arrangement does not compromise Guyana’s sovereignty. Asked whether the country retains the right to refuse individuals, he said Guyana can reject and has full control over what it accepts. He said Guyana does its own vetting to its satisfaction and then agrees with the names. He said this is not a situation where the United States turns up with a plane and just shows people off on Guyana's shores.
President Ali said, "We have exceptionally good human rights credentials." He pointed to the country’s record on indigenous land titling and budgetary support for Amerindian communities as evidence of its human rights credentials. He said there are a lot of migrants coming into Guyana from Venezuela and Cuba and elsewhere, and that migrants in Guyana get all the social services and all support without exception.
Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud said the framework followed months of negotiation between Georgetown and Washington. US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot said the US Government is "grateful to Guyana for agreeing to assist us in resolving our migration issues."
