Dominica and the US Agreement on Asylum Seekers: Addressing Misunderstandings and Economic Impacts

The Commonwealth of Dominica and the United States of America have recently signed an agreement regarding the acceptance of asylum seekers. The agreement has sparked widespread speculation and concern among the people of Dominica.

While the people have been engaged in discussions on the matter, the discord has been based on misunderstanding and lack of information. The confusion, according to the eye of the layman, may be lying in the difference between seekers and criminals.

Clarifying the difference between Asylum Seekers and Criminals

The people are allegedly under the impression that the two vastly different types of people can come to mean the same thing. This misunderstanding not only leads to increased misinformation being circulated. At the same time, the rumours also undermine the spirit of humanitarianism.

At the time, it is important for the clarifications to come with respect to what refugee relocation means. The explanation will also clarify how the systems  can function within the country in terms of the economics.

Why refugees seek Asylum

One of the first, most important clarification that must come is  that the refugees are not fleeing the justice system of their nation of birth. The refugees seek asylum in other nations due to conflict, economic collapse, instability of government, or fear of persecution.

The experts argue that in most of the cases, asylum systems and humanitarian channels exists to help people fleeing aforementioned circumstances.

Refugees are not Criminals

As such, it can be sufficiently claimed that most refugees travel through completely legal channels and not criminal networks. Further, the decision to deport refugees who enter legally depends on administrative or legal outcomes and is typically not the result of criminal proceedings.

One of the most important topics to clarify in this regard is that most of the asylum seekers who come to the United States are seeking dignity, employment and the right to support their families and create a future for them.

Deportation does not equal Criminality

In some cases, the policies for the acceptance of refugees can change for a country in which case the nation can choose to deport some refugees. However, this does not turn a refugee into a criminal.

What it does is simply change the place where they are permitted, legally, to live, reside and build their lives. In case of Dominica, if a legal and carefully constructed framework has been put in place to oversee the relocation of the refugees, the individuals who will come to the island will be working aged adults who will be able to contribute to the economy of Dominica positively.

Economic benefits of relocation for Dominica

The nation will also be compensated for the acceptance of the refugees from the originating government for taking in the refugees. According to confirmed sources, The United States government will be paying a per-person support cost to the receiving country, Dominica.

This per person support cost covers using, food, basic services, and administration for the refugees. The government of United States, in this case, may provide this support per week or per month basis.

The details of this aspect of the agreement have not been released for the public yet. Experts have clarified that the arrival of the refugees will positively affect the economy of the country. The nation will receive guaranteed rental income upon receiving the refugees. The locals who arrange the accommodation for the refugees will receive rental income which will go into the economy and support the growth of the hotels, guesthouses, apartments and local property owners. The officials have shared that this will help in stimulating the economy of the country.

Refugees are not criminals, they are people displaced by circumstance

The arrival of refugees is expected to bring economic activity to Dominica, which means that the nation does not have to take any negative impact for taking in the refugees. Finally, terming the refugees as criminals is disrespectful and wrong in light of the circumstances.

They are only people displaced by circumstance and not intent and deserve to live and provide for themselves with dignity.