Guyana has finalised a migration cooperation framework with the United States that will allow the country to accept a limited number of “vetted, skilled, non-criminal” migrants under a temporary relocation arrangement.
In a statement on Saturday, the Government of Guyana said the arrangement was concluded with the United States and will be implemented through the International Organization for Migration’s Assisted Voluntary Return Programme.
According to the government, Guyana will retain full discretion to review and reject any individual proposed for relocation. The statement also said the United States will bear the full cost of the relocation process.
The government said it intends to accept only persons who have chosen relocation to Guyana voluntarily.
IOM, the United Nations migration agency, will be responsible for the operational implementation of the programme. It will cover the costs of receiving, housing and supporting persons relocated to Guyana, while also providing services needed for their integration.
Those services will include access to communication with legal representatives and family members.
The Government said Guyana will not bear the financial cost of the programme. It also said IOM has confirmed that the arrangement will not transfer to the agency any of the Government’s responsibilities concerning admission, legal stay, protection or removal.
The Dr. Irfaan Ali administration has framed the agreement as part of Guyana’s commitment to human rights and international cooperation. The Government said persons relocated to Guyana must retain the right to seek international protection where applicable.
Where such protection is sought, IOM will support referrals to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in coordination with the relevant Guyanese authorities.
The Government also confirmed that relocated individuals will have regular, effective and sufficiently private access to communication with legal representatives and family members.
The statement stressed that the arrangement is temporary and does not constitute permanent resettlement.
Persons relocated to Guyana under the programme will await the outcome of their immigration status determination while in the country. Depending on that outcome, they will either return to their country of origin or relocate elsewhere of their choosing.
The Government said their presence in Guyana will be governed by pre-defined terms rather than open-ended residency.
The framework was also described as another expression of the partnership between Guyana and the United States, which the Government said has grown across energy, trade, investment, security and diplomatic cooperation.
The Government said it will continue to work with IOM, UNHCR and domestic stakeholders to ensure the framework is implemented in keeping with Guyana’s laws, human rights obligations and national development priorities.
