First batch of non-Jamaican deportees can stay in Jamaica, says Minister Chang
Key Points(5)
- FACED with a grilling from journalists at a post-Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday, Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang admitted that the first batch of 25 foreign nationals expected to be deported to Jamaica from the United States may opt to remain on the island.
- But Chang was adamant that Jamaica would accept no more non-national deportees from the US after that.
- Chang told the media briefing that he was unable to say when the first batch of deportees would arrive, where they would stay, and when they would be expected to leave Jamaica.
- ‘Response is not resilience’ News ‘Response is not resilience’ June 17, 2026 One thing the minister was certain about was that one of the key requirements for them being accepted on the island is that they must speak English.
- The security minister highlighted that in other countries which have a similar arrangement the majority of the people who arrive under a TCN with the US end up moving on after two weeks.
Jamaica Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang has confirmed that the first group of 25 foreign nationals deported from the United States under a new third-country nationals (TCN) arrangement can opt to remain on the island.
Chang, however, stressed that Jamaica would not accept any further non-national deportees from the United States beyond that initial group if they choose to stay.
The agreement, which Chang said he signed last week following negotiations involving Jamaican officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Attorney General’s Department, has not yet been presented to Parliament. Operational details, including arrival dates, accommodation plans, and duration of stay, are still being finalized.
He told a post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday that the arrangement is designed as a transitional mechanism rather than long-term resettlement.
“The understanding is that if they stay here, we don’t take any more. If the first 25 stay, the programme ceases immediately,” Chang said.
Limited scope and English-language requirement
Chang said Jamaica will only accept individuals who speak English and emphasized that the group is not composed of criminals.
“The primary criteria established is that they should speak English. It makes it easier for them to come to Jamaica. We have put nothing else on it. They are not criminals, they are more people looking for different opportunities,” he said.
He added that the arrangement reflects broader migration patterns seen in other countries operating similar agreements with the United States, where most individuals do not remain long-term.
“In countries where the per capita income doubles ours, 94 per cent move on within two weeks,” Chang said.
He also said Jamaica is prepared for the possibility that some individuals may choose to remain, noting that they would need to pursue asylum through the courts.
“And if they get asylum status we retain them,” he added.
No detention under transitional framework
Chang outlined a distinction between the TCN arrangement and Jamaica’s handling of undocumented migrants, particularly Haitians, who are processed under separate legal and enforcement frameworks.
“TCNs are being brought here under an understanding we have worked out with the United States Government… We don’t detain TCNs,” he said.
He described the group as individuals “transitioning through the country,” likening the process to airport transit while they await onward travel.
By contrast, he said, migrants arriving illegally are subject to detention and removal procedures or asylum processing through the courts.
Agreement initiated through US-Jamaica discussions
Chang said the initiative originated from the United States as part of its efforts to manage irregular migration and that Jamaica agreed following bilateral discussions.
“We are one of their allies in the Caribbean. We had prolonged discussion and we came to an agreement. I signed it last week,” he said.
He also rejected suggestions that Jamaica had been pressured into the arrangement.
“No international discussion proceeds along those lines. We are not at war with anybody. We are two friendly countries and we have bilateral discussions daily,” Chang said.
He added that Jamaica’s National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) will review all incoming individuals before they are cleared for entry.
US support and program structure
Under the arrangement, the United States is expected to cover the bulk of accommodation-related costs for the individuals while they are in Jamaica.
Chang said the program has no fixed end date and will continue only as long as it remains workable.
“It is an understanding that while there is a need we will work with it. If we find it impossible to pursue, we will discontinue it,” he said.
He also confirmed that the agreement allows for periodic arrivals of up to 25 individuals every two weeks, though that detail has not yet been finalized in practice.
Chang added that if all individuals in the first cohort choose to remain in Jamaica, the programme would be halted immediately to prevent strain on local resources.
On the question of publication, he said the agreement is a public document and will be made available.
