St. Kitts and Nevis

Background and Developments (last updated September 11, 2026)

In May, the government of St Kitts and Nevis stated it received three nationals from Jamaica and Belize. One man from Jamaica was removed before counsel could file paperwork to stop his removal. In early January 2026, the United States and Saint Kitts and Nevis announced a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the transfer of certain third country nationals from the United States. The disclosed MOU says that nationals of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are eligible for transfer from the United States to St. Kitts and Nevis, excluding those “with violent or sexual offence criminal backgrounds.” Previously, Prime Minister Terrence Drew carved out Haitian nationals as an exception who would not be accepted, but the MOU states only that the United States and St. Kitts and Nevis would work out operational procedures establishing caps on the number of individuals to be accepted annually and U.S. assistance for food, housing, and other support for those transferred. Although the MOU includes the same standard assurance as in other third country transfer agreements that St. Kitts and Nevis would treat any third country nationals transferred from the United States in accordance with its international legal obligations, St. Kitts and Nevis has notably not signed the 1967 Refugee Protocol, heightening concerns about potential non-refoulement. 

In early January 2026, other small Caribbean nations, including Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, signed similar agreements with the United States. These agreements were signed during a period of heightened political tension in the Caribbean over recent U.S. government actions, including lethal strikes on migrant boats and a U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. They were announced shortly after a U.S. presidential proclamation that partially suspended visa issuance and processing for nationals of 15 countries, though the proclamation did not include St. Kitts and Nevis. On February 25, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Saint Kitts and Nevis for the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, where he discussed security, immigration, promoting growth, health, and energy security. 

In July 2026, the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) took place, with the leaders in attendance releasing a statement expressing concerns about third country removal agreements. The statement emphasized the agreements’ purpose is to serve solely as a transit point for individuals being sent back to their home countries, which raises concerns about potential chain refoulement.