No Bajan deportees yet, but government steps up readiness

The Barbados government is intensifying preparations to assist undocumented nationals who may be deported from the United States, amid intensified immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Kerrie Symmonds told Barbados TODAY that while, to his knowledge, no Bajans have yet been deported, the country’s diplomatic missions in the US are on alert.

“There has been no report coming to my attention with regard to any Bajan deportees as yet,” Symmonds said. “But our missions in the United States have been stepping up the level of preparedness in order to facilitate any of our nationals who may require assistance in the event that those circumstances arise.”

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported nearly 350 000 people since Trump returned to office in January, part of a broader crackdown targeting the estimated 10 million undocumented migrants nationwide.

While ICE claims to prioritise criminal offenders, recent data shows only a fraction of those arrested had convictions for serious crimes.

With deportations nearing levels last seen under President Barack Obama, and federal agencies expanding their presence in cities like Los Angeles and Washington, Barbados is bracing for the possibility that its nationals may soon be among those repatriated.

“Obviously,” Symmonds said, “as the US federal government extends its reach … as they are reported to be doing, there will be an increased possibility some of our nationals may find themselves in difficulty with customs and border patrol or Immigration and Customs Enforcement dragnets.”

(EJ)