Jamaica confirms US discussions on third-country deportee transit plan
Key Points(5)
- The Government has confirmed that it is in negotiations on a controversial United States–backed migration arrangement that would allow non-Jamaicans deported from the US to transit through the island, but insists it is not opening Jamaica’s borders to an uncontrolled programme.
- “I want to first clarify that the individuals who may be transferred under this framework are not being brought to Jamaica as permanent migrants.
- These are nationals of countries other than Jamaica who are being facilitated through a structured process to transit through Jamaica to a third territory, including return to their home countries.
- Jamaica is not opening its borders for an uncontrolled migration programme,” he said.
- Chang said the MOU is the result of negotiations between two sovereign partners and does not amount to automatic acceptance of any proposal.
The Jamaican government has confirmed that it is in negotiations on a United States–backed arrangement that would allow non-Jamaicans deported from the US to transit through the island, but insists it is not opening Jamaica’s borders to an uncontrolled programme.
A statement from the Ministry of National Security and Peace, issued Tuesday afternoon, said the safety and security of Jamaicans and visitors, as well as obligations under international law, “have guided every step of the discussions on this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Jamaica and the United States of America concerning Third Country Nationals (TCNs).”
Security Minister Dr Horace Chang, speaking in the statement, sought to clarify that the individuals involved would not be treated as permanent migrants.
“I want to first clarify that the individuals who may be transferred under this framework are not being brought to Jamaica as permanent migrants. These are nationals of countries other than Jamaica who are being facilitated through a structured process to transit through Jamaica to a third territory, including return to their home countries. Jamaica is not opening its borders for an uncontrolled migration programme,” he said.
Chang said the MOU is the result of negotiations between two sovereign partners and does not amount to automatic acceptance of any proposal.
He said technical teams from both countries have held detailed discussions aimed at ensuring safeguards and protections are built into the framework.
“At no point did Jamaica compromise its sovereignty or ignore its duty to the Jamaican people. We were clear about our national interests and relied on our experience over many years in managing international migration matters to inform our position throughout the negotiations,” he said.
Chang added that no transfers will take place until both countries agree on the operational procedures required for implementation.
He further said individuals with criminal antecedents will not be accepted under the arrangement, noting that security considerations remain paramount.
The minister also dismissed reports suggesting the programme could involve as many as 10,000 people, saying the figure “does not represent an agreed quota or commitment” under the MOU.
While the US proposal outlines the possibility of up to 25 individuals being transferred every two weeks, Chang said this would be subject to operational safeguards.
He explained that if the number of individuals pending transfer or remaining in Jamaica exceeds a threshold of 10 persons, the process would be paused until conditions are reviewed and normalised.
“The final numbers under this arrangement therefore remain contingent on that flow, and it is designed to establish parameters that are appropriate and manageable for Jamaica. The Government of Jamaica has also insisted that all actions under this arrangement comply with the domestic laws of both countries and applicable international obligations,” he said.
