Guyana has accepted six deportees from the United States as part of a third-country deportation initiative established under the Trump administration, officials confirmed Saturday. The group, composed of nationals from Cuba and Afghanistan, arrived in Guyana on Friday after undergoing screening by the Guyanese government, which determined that none had a criminal record.

Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud stated that the individuals were removed from the United States mainly due to immigration violations. The arrangement to host the deportees followed several months of negotiations between Guyana and U.S. authorities. Persaud clarified that the agreement, set to last one year, does not imply permanent residency for the deportees, and the U.S. has not issued additional requests to send further individuals to Guyana.

Under the Assisted Voluntary Return Program, the deportees will remain in Guyana while awaiting decisions regarding their immigration status. Depending on outcomes, they may either return to their countries of origin or be relocated elsewhere. The program is implemented by the International Organization for Migration, a United Nations agency, with Guyana’s government specifying that it will not assume expenses related to housing or support services for the deportees.

Guyana joins several other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states, including St. Kitts and Nevis, Belize, and St. Lucia, in receiving small groups of deportees under this initiative. The program reflects ongoing efforts to manage immigration concerns through third-country resettlement arrangements involving U.S. deportees and regional partners.