Providenciales, TCI – Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Arlington Musgrove says the country will not, under any circumstances, accept deportees from the United States or any other nation who are not citizens of Turks and Caicos.

He made the statement in response to US media reports that the incoming Donald Trump administration was considering the UK overseas territory along with The Bahamas, Panama, and Grenada for a potential deportation programme for certain migrants who cannot be returned to their home countries.

However, Musgrove told Observer Online on Thursday that there had been no direct contact from President-Elect Trump’s team yet.

“We have not had contact with the administration, I don’t know if the UK has, but my government has not,” he said.

A similar refusal also came from the Bahamian Prime Minister’s office Thursday indicating that the Phillip Davis led-government had “reviewed and firmly rejected” overtures that had been presented to it from the incoming administration.

Musgrove, in a press release Thursday, said the alleged plan is concerning.

“The unilateral imposition of third-country deportation policies, such as those reportedly under consideration by the incoming Trump administration, is fundamentally at odds with international norms and legal standards. We are deeply concerned about any suggestion of displacing individuals to countries with which they have no connection. Such policies disregard the cultural, social, and economic implications for receiving countries and the humanitarian impact on the individuals affected.”

Musgrove added, “We remind all stakeholders that Turks and Caicos is already facing significant challenges managing irregular migration and the accompanying strain on our resources. We will not permit external policies to exacerbate these challenges, nor undermine or dictate our national security.”

Located just north of violence-torn Haiti, the Turks and Caicos struggles with irregular migration from its French speaking neighbours expending up millions of US dollars in deportation costs each year.

Musgrove maintained that diplomatic relationships with the US are still a priority for the UK overseas territory, where national security is under the purview of an appointed UK governor, who represents King Charles.

“Our Government remains committed to maintaining strong diplomatic relations with the United States and our other international partners. However, we are steadfast in our commitment to protecting the interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands and upholding the integrity of our immigration system. To be clear: The Turks and Caicos Islands will not participate in any program that seeks to forcibly relocate individuals here against their will, or ours.”

– Dana Malcolm