Government Reaffirms Commitment to Dignity and Humanity for Haitians

Basseterre, Saint Kitts, January 22, 2026 (PMO) — Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew has reaffirmed that under his leadership, St. Kitts and Nevis has never and will never engage in the dehumanisation or mistreatment of Haitian nationals, underscoring his administration’s and by extension his political party’s long-standing, progressive, and compassionate approach toward the people of Haiti.

The Prime Minister addressed the matter during his January 21 appearance on the Issues Programme on Freedom FM, in response to public questions and concerns regarding the exclusion of Haiti from a recently negotiated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related to the relocation of third-country nationals.

Prime Minister Drew made clear that his Government’s position must be understood within the broader context of St. Kitts and Nevis’ humanitarian record, particularly when compared to actions taken under the former administration.

“In 2019, under the former administration, Haitians were deported, including pregnant women and a child,” Prime Minister Drew stated. “We have taken the position that we will never do that.”

He explained that since assuming office, his administration has adopted a deliberately humane approach, prioritising the protection of vulnerable individuals and rejecting policies that would place lives at risk.

“When children and pregnant women arrived here, my decision was clear,” the Prime Minister said. “Get the pregnant women to the hospital immediately. Get the children checked. We are not deporting them.”

Prime Minister Drew emphasized that St. Kitts and Nevis has, per capita, accepted one of the largest Haitian populations in the Caribbean, providing free access to education, healthcare, and social support, often at significant cost to a small state with limited resources.

“We are very accepting and progressive towards Haitians,” he affirmed.

The Prime Minister stressed that Haiti’s exclusion from the specific MOU should not be interpreted as a rejection of the Haitian people, but rather as a reflection of capacity constraints and national security responsibilities.

He reiterated that the Government remains fully committed to working through regional and international mechanisms to support Haiti’s long-term stability.