The Government of Guyana has confirmed the conclusion of a migration cooperation framework with the Government of the United States of America that will allow for the relocation of a limited, vetted number of skilled and non-criminal individuals to Guyana through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Assisted Voluntary Return Programme.
Under the framework, Guyana will retain full discretion to review and reject any individual proposed for relocation. The United States will bear the full cost of the relocation process, while the Government of Guyana has indicated that it intends to accept only individuals who have voluntarily chosen relocation to Guyana.
The operational implementation of the programme will be overseen by IOM, the UN Migration Agency. IOM will cover the costs associated with receiving, housing and supporting individuals relocated to Guyana and will provide services to facilitate their integration, including access to communication with legal representatives and family members.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the government stressed that Guyana will not bear the financial cost of the programme. IOM has also confirmed that it will not assume, nor will the arrangement transfer to IOM, any of the Government of Guyana’s responsibilities relating to admission, legal stay, protection or removal.
According to the statement, the framework forms part of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s administration’s longstanding commitment to human rights and international cooperation. Individuals relocated to Guyana will retain the right to seek international protection where applicable.
IOM will support the referral of cases requiring international protection to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in coordination with the relevant Guyanese authorities. The framework also provides for regular, effective and sufficiently private communication between relocated individuals and their legal representatives and family members.
“The arrangement is temporary and does not constitute permanent resettlement. Individuals relocated to Guyana through the Assisted Voluntary Return Programme will do so voluntarily and will remain in Guyana while awaiting the outcome of their immigration status determination,” the statement reads.
Depending on the outcome of that determination, individuals will either return to their country of origin or relocate elsewhere of their choosing. Their presence in Guyana will be governed by a set of pre-defined terms rather than open-ended residency.
The Government has described the framework as the latest expression of the bilateral partnership between Guyana and the United States, which has expanded under President Ali’s administration across areas including energy, trade, investment, security and diplomatic cooperation.
It said the agreement reflects the strength and maturity of the bilateral relationship, as well as Guyana’s position as a trusted and constructive partner to the United States in the region.
The Government said it will continue working with IOM, UNHCR and relevant domestic stakeholders to ensure the framework is implemented in accordance with Guyana’s laws, its human rights obligations and its national development priorities.
