Guyana, US sign an agreement to fast-track the processing of deportees

Saturday, February 7, 2004

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AFP): Guyana and the United States on Friday signed an agreement to fast-track the processing of would-be deportees.

Signed by Guyana's Foreign Minister Rudy Insanally and US Ambassador Roland Bullen, the agreement also provides for persons mistakenly deported as Guyanese to be sent back to the United States.

"An individual removed from the United States to Guyana in error should, upon discovery of the error, be returned forthwith to the United States which intends to be responsible for defraying all expenses incurred," the document said.

A Jamaican man, who had stolen the identity of a Guyanese man, was several years ago deported to Guyana but Washington several months later took him back to the United States where he was jailed for providing false information and then deported to Jamaica.

Under the memorandum of understanding, which takes immediate effect, would-be deportees are barred from leaving the United States until judgments in any other pending court cases are handed down.

According to the eight-page document, Guyanese could be deported from the United States though not convicted in that country, simply on the basis of having a "criminal background." 

Amid persistent complaints by the Guyana government and deportees themselves that they are sent pack as paupers to a country with no family ties, the agreement also requires Washington to allow would-be deportees to appoint a power-of-attorney in the United States to "facilitate the winding up of legal matters related to the handling of assets, dues and all benefits which he or she is or may become entitled."

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