The ACP EU Migration Program funded by the European Union provides technical assistance to African, Caribbean and Pacific groups of states.

    The program which is being implemented by the International Organization for Migration provides assistance on five thematic areas of migration; remittances, visa, readmission, trafficking human being and smuggling of migrants. On Wednesday June 26, 2019, a draft national policy and plan of action in support of involuntary returning migrants to Saint Lucia and a case management database on re-admission and re-integration of these migrants were presented to the Department of Home Affairs and National Security.

 

    Program Officer for the Caribbean/ACP EU Action of the International Organization for Migration, Jermaine Grante notes the various challenges faced by involuntary returning migrants. “The Ministry of Home Affairs and National Security posited in their technical assistance requested to the program that involuntary returning migrants, or deportees, are challenged because of societal perceptions and stereotypes that compound some forms of stigma and discrimination against them. IRMs encounter difficulties during the reintegration process irrespective of whether they had familial connections in Saint Lucia and irrespective of their ability to provide for themselves and dependents,” Grante says.

    According to Grante the draft policy and plan of action should serve as Saint Lucia’s international commitment on migration management in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notable target 10.7 which commits states to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people. Migration Expert with the International Organization for Migration, Rui Oliveria Reis   presents some of the data.  “What we know is that 64 percent of IMRs are coming from France; mainly Martinique, with quite a significant portion coming from the Caribbean which is nine percent,” Oliveria maintains. The Migration expert notes a large portion of these cases result from transgressions of immigration policies.

    “It’s also important to highlight that 77 percent are related to immigration violations and this is important because sooner or later the Government will be able to integrate these persons. Most of these people simply want to make a better life for themselves but sometimes not the legal way,” Oliveria says. Saint Lucia recognizes the need for available data, of a policy, standard operating procedures and general guidance on the issues of readmission and reintegration of involuntary returning migrants which will contribute to their socio-economic integration.