Symmonds concerned about impact on Bajans without legal status in US

Minister of Foreign Affairs Kerrie Symmonds is concerned about the potential impact of mass deportations being carried out by United States (US) President Donald Trump.

Symmonds warned that the indiscriminate nature of these policies could have profound consequences for Barbadians and the wider West Indian community in the US.

“The likelihood of the dragnet of mass deportations has been concerning me in terms of its potential to do harm or injustice to the Barbadian community and quite frankly, the West Indian community as a whole,” he said.

Symmonds criticised the broad, untargeted nature of the measures, which he said appeared to lack the focus that had initially been hoped for.

“My fear, which has now manifested, is that it does not seem to be targeted as one had hoped it would be but rather that it seems to be of a more general nature,” he said.

Although the full extent of the deportations remains unclear, the minister underscored the urgency of the matter, noting that Barbados had already taken steps to ensure support for its citizens.

Barbados has initiated discussions with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to protect the rights of Barbadians who might be affected. Symmonds also said Barbadian consular representatives and diplomatic staff in the US were being trained to address these challenges effectively.

“We have started discussions with the ACLU and facilitated sit-down sessions with our consular and diplomatic staff. These efforts aim to ensure that Barbadians who feel disadvantaged by these developments can receive proper guidance and assistance,” he explained.

The minister expressed particular concern about Barbadians who lacked proper immigration status, many of whom had established families. He pointed to worrying signs of attempts to deny citizenship to children born in the US to non-citizen parents.

“It is essential that the rights of these children, their education and access to services such as housing and health care are not compromised,” Symmonds said. 

Since his inauguration on January 20, Trump has heightened immigration enforcement and deportation policies.

They focus on stricter border controls and deportations and have been widely criticised for their broad scope and potential to disrupt families and communities.

Mass deportations could also create challenges for Barbados, particularly in terms of reintegrating returning nationals and Symmonds acknowledged that while some might bring valuable skills and experience that could contribute to the economy, others might pose social and economic challenges.

“An immigrant who has been contributing to the US economy is less likely to be a burden on Barbados upon their return. However, this cannot be said for everyone. The circumstances of each deportation vary and we must be prepared to manage them accordingly,” he noted.

The minister also noted potential issues surrounding criminal deportees.

“The absorptive capacity of the country to deal with such individuals will have to be assessed carefully.”

Symmonds said that the implications of the administration’s deportation policies extend beyond Barbados to the wider Caribbean.

“This is an additional burden that developing states like ours must shoulder. It is not just an immigration issue, it is about the rights and opportunities of individuals and families who are caught up in this situation,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Symmonds said that the Government was monitoring the situation and would continue to adapt its response as more information becomes available.

“This process is ongoing and as it unfolds, we will be in a better position to determine the numbers and circumstances of those affected. Our priority is to ensure that Barbadians abroad and their families are treated with fairness and dignity,” he said.

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