Minister for External Affairs Alva Baptiste disclosed that the United States initially submitted 10 individuals for consideration, but Saint Lucia approved only six.

The development provides the first practical demonstration of Government's position that the agreement does not give the United States unrestricted authority to transfer individuals to Saint Lucia. Under the arrangement, Saint Lucia retains discretion to review proposed individuals before determining whether they will be accepted.

Baptiste said the six who were approved underwent screening, and the Government's assessment found no indication that they posed a threat to national security or public safety.

Government has repeatedly maintained that the individuals being accepted are not convicted criminals being transferred to Saint Lucia to serve prison sentences. Two of the six have already indicated that they wish to return to their countries of origin. The Ministry of External Affairs is working through diplomatic channels and with international partners to facilitate their voluntary repatriation. The remaining four have indicated that they intend to remain in Saint Lucia for the time being. Baptiste stressed, however, that their presence does not amount to automatic permanent settlement.

Their stay is governed by predefined conditions, while voluntary repatriation remains available should they subsequently decide to return home. The arrangement permits Saint Lucia to accept a maximum of 10 individuals per quarter over two years. The government has also maintained that Saint Lucian taxpayers should not be required to carry the cost of the programme.

Baptiste said programme costs are being supported by the United States and international partners, including the International Organization for Migration.

The arrival of the first group moves the programme from negotiation into implementation and provides an opportunity to assess how several of the safeguards outlined by Government operate in practice. Questions about screening, national security, Government's ability to reject individuals, repatriation and the cost of the programme have dominated public discussion since the arrangement became known.

The rejection of four of the first 10 proposed individuals establishes that Saint Lucia is exercising its approval authority.

The voluntary return requested by two of the six also provides the first practical test of the programme's repatriation mechanism.

Government has indicated that further information will be provided as implementation continues.

The six arrivals, four rejections and two requests for voluntary return were confirmed in Baptiste’s pre-Cabinet remarks and subsequent reporting.