Strengthening US-Caribbean Partnership Act

This bill would authorize extending the same diplomatic privileges and immunities that the United States provides to other public international organizations under the International Organizations Immunities Act (IOIA) to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Specifically, it would add a new Section 20 to the IOIA, giving the President the authority to determine the terms and conditions under which CARICOM would receive those immunities, “in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions” as for other international organizations in which the U.S. participates (through treaties or Congress-authorized participation or funding). The purpose is to strengthen US-Caribbean cooperation by reducing legal and logistical barriers for CARICOM to operate in the United States. In practical terms, the bill would provide CARICOM (and its staff and premises) with the immunities and privileges that are typically extended to international organizations operating in the U.S., subject to the President’s implementation decisions. It does not itself authorize any new spending or specific programs; rather, it enables the executive branch to grant immunities to CARICOM under existing IOIA frameworks if and when the President determines appropriate.