Podgorica and Washington have not held diplomatic talks about the possibility of Montenegro accepting migrants expelled from the United States of America (USA).
This was stated to Vijesti yesterday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Montenegro, answering the question of whether the US administration had contacted them regarding the potential acceptance of migrants.
"Regarding your inquiry, we would like to inform you that there has been no communication with the US on this matter so far," the department headed by the minister told the newspaper. Ervin Ibrahimovic (Bosniak Party).
They stated that all Montenegrin citizens who do not have regular residence in the US can always return to Montenegro.
"Regarding the admission of persons who do not have regular residence in the USA and are citizens of Montenegro, as we announced upon receiving information about the new immigration policy of the current US administration - all our citizens can always return to their country, and our diplomatic and consular missions in New York and Washington are available to provide the necessary consular assistance and support," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
American Bloomberg announced a week ago that the administration of the US President Donald Trump is trying to convince Serbia and other Balkan countries to accept migrants whose temporary legal status in the United States has been revoked. The requests, according to the media outlet, are part of the US administration's strategy to seek partner governments to accept foreign nationals - mostly from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela - whose temporary legal status in the US has been revoked. This was made possible by the US Supreme Court in May.
Bloomberg also states that regional offices of the US State Department have been tasked with presenting this idea to potential partners.
The US Embassy in Podgorica told Radio Free Europe (RFE) last Friday that they do not comment on the details of diplomatic communication with other countries "as part of the strategy of deportation of foreign citizens without regular status."
When RFE/RL asked whether Montenegro was also subject to requests to accept migrants deemed undesirable in the United States, the Embassy did not provide a precise answer. They said that countries in the region are included in the contacts as part of a broader strategy.
"American partners and regional leaders are working closely with us to end the crisis of illegal and mass migration," they said.
The diplomatic mission reminded that implementing the Trump administration's immigration policy is one of the State Department's top priorities.
"The removal of aliens from the United States, for whom final deportation orders exist, is considered essential to protecting the country from foreign terrorists and other threats to national security and public safety," they stated.
They add that "continued cooperation with foreign governments is crucial to deterring illegal and mass migration, as well as for border security."
"As the Secretary of State said (Marko) Blond"We remain steadfastly committed to ending illegal and mass migration and strengthening the security of America's borders. To that end, every country must urgently accept the return of its citizens who have no legal basis to remain in the United States," they stated.
Bloomberg announced that an agreement to accept deported migrants would not be unprecedented in the region. They added that a similar agreement was reached between Italy and Albania, after the Italian Prime Minister George Meloni pressured Balkan countries to establish migrant centers for all those who are stopped at sea while trying to reach Europe from Africa.
The deal was for Italy to fund the centers. However, the arrangement, Bloomberg reports, has run into obstacles and battles in Italian courts.
Kosovo Government: Ready to accept migrants
The interim government in Pristina is ready to cooperate with the US regarding the acceptance and temporary settlement of third-country nationals in Kosovo, "in accordance with established conditions."
This was told to RFE/RL by the Kosovo Government.
“Over a one-year period, up to 50 individuals may be temporarily relocated, with the aim of facilitating their safe return to their country of origin. The government has expressed its readiness to engage, with the possibility of selecting individuals from a proposed list, provided that they meet certain criteria related to the rule of law and public order,” said a spokesperson for the interim government of Kosovo, I am going to Cruise..
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