First flight of third-country nationals expected in Jamaica shortly
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith
Key Points(5)
- The first flight of third-country nationals (TCNs) is expected to arrive in Jamaica shortly under a transit arrangement with the United States, the government said Monday.
- In a joint statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Ministry of National Security and Peace said the two countries had finalised operating procedures for the arrangement, including safeguards to ensure it is implemented safely, orderly and lawfully.
- The government said the programme is intended to facilitate the return of third-country nationals to their countries of origin or other receiving countries, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
- The IOM has been formally engaged to assist individuals while they are in Jamaica and facilitate their onward travel, according to the statement.
- The government reiterated that it would not fund the arrangement and that individuals with criminal antecedents would not be permitted to transit through Jamaica under the programme.
The first flight of third-country nationals (TCNs) is expected to arrive in Jamaica shortly under a transit arrangement with the United States, the government said Monday.
In a joint statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Ministry of National Security and Peace said the two countries had finalized operating procedures for the arrangement, including safeguards to ensure it is implemented safely, orderly and lawfully.
The government said the program is intended to facilitate the return of third-country nationals to their countries of origin or other receiving countries, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The IOM has been formally engaged to assist individuals while they are in Jamaica and facilitate their onward travel, according to the statement.
The government reiterated that it would not fund the arrangement and that individuals with criminal histories would not be permitted to transit through Jamaica under the program.
The number of third-country nationals allowed to transit through the island will be capped at 25 every two weeks.
The government also said the memorandum of understanding with the United States provides for the arrangement to be suspended if 10 third-country nationals apply to remain in Jamaica through asylum applications or other humanitarian processes.
