Podgorica and Washington have yet to initiate diplomatic discussions regarding the potential acceptance of migrants expelled from the United States.

This was confirmed yesterday to Vijesti by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Montenegro when asked if the US administration had approached them about the possibility of accommodating migrants.

“In response to your inquiry, we wish to inform you that there has been no communication with the US on this matter thus far,” the department, overseen by Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic (Bosniak Party), informed the newspaper.

They noted that all Montenegrin citizens without regular residence in the US can return to Montenegro at any time.

“Regarding the acceptance of individuals lacking regular residence in the USA who are Montenegrin citizens, as we previously stated following the announcement of the new immigration policy by the current US administration, all our citizens can always come back to their homeland, and our diplomatic and consular missions in New York and Washington are equipped to provide essential consular assistance and support,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added.

American Bloomberg reported a week ago that the administration of President Donald Trump is attempting to persuade Serbia and other Balkan nations to take in migrants whose temporary legal status in the United States has been revoked. According to the media, this is part of the US administration’s strategy to engage partner governments in accepting foreign nationals—primarily from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela—whose temporary legal status was rescinded. This change was sanctioned by the US Supreme Court in May.

Bloomberg also mentioned that regional offices of the US State Department have been assigned to present this initiative to potential partners.

The US Embassy in Podgorica informed Radio Free Europe (RFE) last Friday that they do not disclose details of diplomatic communications with other nations “as part of the strategy for removing foreign citizens without regular status.”

When RFE/RL inquired if Montenegro was also included in the requests to house migrants labeled as undesirable in the United States, the Embassy refrained from providing a definitive reply, stating that countries in the region are part of a broader strategy.

“American partners and regional leaders are collaborating closely with us to resolve the crisis of illegal and mass migration,” they stated.

The diplomatic mission reminded that executing the immigration policy of the Trump administration is among the State Department’s top priorities.

“The removal of aliens from the United States, who have final deportation orders, is viewed as critical in safeguarding the country from foreign terrorists and other threats to national security and public safety,” they remarked.

They added that “ongoing cooperation with foreign governments is vital to deter illegal and mass migration, as well as to enhance border security.”

“As the Secretary of State Marko Blond stated, ‘We are firmly committed to ending illegal and mass migration and strengthening America’s border security. Every country must urgently agree to accept back its citizens without a legal basis to stay in the United States,'” they stated.

Bloomberg reported that an agreement to accept deported migrants would not be novel for the region. They cited a similar arrangement that was established between Italy and Albania, following pressure from Italian Prime Minister George Meloni for Balkan nations to create migrant centers for individuals intercepted at sea while trying to reach Europe from Africa.

This deal included Italian funding for the centers. Nonetheless, Bloomberg reports that the arrangement has encountered obstacles and legal challenges in Italian courts.

Kosovo Government: Ready to accept migrants

The interim government in Pristina is prepared to collaborate with the US concerning the acceptance and temporary settlement of third-country nationals in Kosovo, “in line with established conditions.”

This was communicated to RFE/RL by the Kosovo Government.

“Over the course of a year, up to 50 individuals may be temporarily relocated, aiming to facilitate their safe return to their country of origin. The government is ready to engage, with the option to select individuals from a proposed list, provided they meet specified criteria related to the rule of law and public order,” a spokesperson for the Kosovo interim government stated, I am going to Cruise..

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