My fellow Dominicans, this is not the discussion I wanted to have, but it is what it is. Once again, Roosevelt Skerrit has shown us exactly how he governs, not in service to our people, but in secrecy. Behind closed doors, without consultation, without debate, without disclosure, he negotiated a private arrangement with Donald Trump that serves his political survival, not the national interest of Dominica and certainly not any humanitarian principle.
This was not diplomacy through transparent channels. It was a backroom maneuver, deliberately hidden from Parliament and from you, because sunlight would have exposed just how deeply it undermines our sovereignty.
What makes this worse is Roosevelt Skerrit’s record of broken promises. In July, when Palestinian refugees were discussed, he claimed the people would be consulted. That promise meant nothing. Here we are today, no consultation, no parliamentary debate, no national discussion, nothing.
So there are only two possibilities. Either Roosevelt Skerrit acted alone, bypassing every democratic safeguard, or every Member of Parliament knew and stayed silent. Parliament must answer: ignorance or complicity?
And to be clear about what is being imposed. Are these individuals being invited to build lives and integrate into society, or are they being sent here to be detained, turning Dominica into an offshore extension of another country’s enforcement system? These are people denied status in the United States and have been forcibly removed. That raises the most urgent question: which prison will be used?
Our facilities are already limited and under-resourced, designed for our own people, not to absorb deportees. The fact that this has not been addressed publicly shows how reckless this decision is. Consequences were ignored. The deal came first. The people were left out entirely.
At the same time, Roosevelt Skerrit expects Dominicans to carry the social and economic burden while he quietly benefits financially. Hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars will flow to this government for taking these deportees. We have heard and seen this story before. After Hurricane Maria, billions were pledged. Eight years later, people are still waiting. The pattern is clear: foreign money comes in, accountability disappears, and our people pay the price.
The economic reality cannot be ignored. Dominicans are struggling to find work, afford housing, and survive in an economy that has failed for decades. Yet we are expected to believe that deportees or detainees will somehow strengthen a system that is already failing its own people. This is not compassion. This is recklessness. Roosevelt Skerrit insulated himself from the consequences; ordinary Dominicans are left to absorb the damage.
And the motive? This is not humanitarian leadership. This is fear. Roosevelt Skerrit sees scrutiny rising, watches allies fall, and instead of strengthening democracy at home, he seeks protection by appeasing Trump’s ego. He offers Dominican land, institutions, and silence for political breathing room. That is not leadership. That is cowardice. This is self-preservation.
Whether called deportees or detainees, the reality is the same: Dominica is being used as a receiving state for another country’s removals. Our people were kept in the dark, 100%. Roosevelt Skerrit did not act through transparent processes, and Parliament was bypassed or silent.
Dominica is not a dumping ground. We are not an offshore solution. We are not a detention colony. We are not a bargaining chip. And we are not a revenue stream to be monetized through secrecy.
We are a small nation still struggling to provide for our own. We are in no position to be the world’s caregivers while constantly taking “charity” from China or other countries. Dependency is not leadership. Charity does not equal sovereignty.
Hear my words without any confusion, I am 100% for Dominica First, Our People First. And decisions of this magnitude require transparency, consent, and legitimacy, not secret, unilateral actions. What was done in secrecy, I will undo openly. When I take office, this arrangement will be reversed immediately, in full, and without question. Sovereignty belongs to OUR people in Dominica, not to Roosevelt Skerrit and his manipulation.
I reject this path entirely. Dominica First, Our People First means no secret deals, no selling off our land, institutions, or future, and no policies imposed on a struggling population without consent. This country is not a private asset. When my Dominica Reform Party form the government.
THIS DECISION ENDS IMMEDIATELY!
- NO Negotiations.
- NO Excuses.
- NO Delays.
Every single individual sent here by Donald Trump will be sent back to America or their birth country.
Accountability begins. Secrecy ends. And Dominica will once again be governed for what is best for our people, not by fear, backroom politics, or one man operating in the dark.
