Guyana, a South American country, has agreed to accept some migrants deported from the United States. The country’s government announced the agreement on Saturday.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House for a second term, his administration has launched a harsh anti-immigration crackdown, including efforts to send deportees to a “third country” rather than their own.
Guyana said it would accept a limited number of deported migrants who have no criminal record.
The office of Guyanese President Irfaan Ali said in a statement, “The government views this arrangement as an extension of Guyana’s long-standing commitment to human rights and international cooperation.”
Several other countries in Central America and the Caribbean have also agreed to cooperate with the U.S. deportation program. Under this program, 250 Venezuelans have been sent to CECOT, El Salvador’s maximum-security prison.
Guyana, however, made clear in its statement that the arrangement with the U.S. is “temporary and does not create an avenue for permanent resettlement.”
Officials also said migrants would be “voluntarily transferred to Guyana,” where they would remain while awaiting a decision on their immigration status.
Depending on the outcome of that decision, the individuals would either return to their home country or move to another country of their choosing.