Jamaican-American urges US lawmakers to probe Jamaica–US migration transit deal
Key Points(5)
- A Jamaican-American advocate has called on members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation to seek answers from the United States government over a third-country nationals (TCN) arrangement between Jamaica and Washington, according to the Jamaica Observer.
- In his letter, Beckford said the agreement appeared to involve US immigration policy, foreign relations and the possible use of taxpayer funds.
- Correspondence has been sent to from left) Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, as well as Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman.
- According to the Jamaica Observer, Beckford is seeking clarity on the operational, financial and legal framework of the arrangement, which Jamaica’s Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr Horace Chang, said was signed three weeks ago.
- The advocate is also asking for details on which categories of people are covered under the agreement, including whether it applies to families, children, asylum seekers or individuals with criminal records.
A Jamaican-American advocate has called on members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation to seek answers from the United States government over a third-country nationals (TCN) arrangement between Jamaica and Washington, according to the Jamaica Gleaner.
Patrick Beckford, a New Jersey constituent, has written to US Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, as well as Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, requesting that they press the US Department of State for full disclosure on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) governing the transfer and transit of third-country nationals through Jamaica.
In his letter, Beckford said the agreement appeared to involve US immigration policy, foreign relations and the possible use of taxpayer funds.
“Because this agreement appears to involve immigration policy, foreign relations, and potentially the expenditure of US taxpayer resources, I respectfully request that your offices seek clarification from the US Department of State and any other relevant federal agencies regarding the following matters,” he wrote.
Correspondence has been sent to from left) Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, as well as Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman.
According to the Jamaica Gleaner, Beckford is seeking clarity on the operational, financial and legal framework of the arrangement, which Jamaica’s Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr Horace Chang, said was signed three weeks ago.
The advocate is also asking for details on which categories of people are covered under the agreement, including whether it applies to families, children, asylum seekers or individuals with criminal records. He is also seeking clarification on the legal authority used to conclude the deal and the officials involved in its negotiation.
Beckford is further requesting information on how long individuals would remain in Jamaica, what human rights and medical screening safeguards are in place, whether US taxpayer funds or other financial compensation are involved, and whether the US Congress was consulted before the agreement was signed.
He has also called for reporting mechanisms and periodic public disclosures to ensure accountability.
“As Americans, we recognise that immigration policy is often complex and politically challenging. Nevertheless, democratic societies function best when governments operate transparently and remain accountable to the people they serve. Agreements affecting sovereign nations, taxpayer resources, and vulnerable individuals should be subject to appropriate public scrutiny rather than uncertainty or speculation,” Beckford wrote.
“The Jamaican-American community has long maintained strong cultural, economic, and civic ties to both countries. Many of us simply seek factual information so that public discussion may be guided by evidence rather than rumour.
“Accordingly, I respectfully request that your offices make formal inquiries of the Department of State and any other appropriate federal agencies and, where possible, share the resulting information with your constituents,” he added.
The Jamaican government has repeatedly described the agreement as a temporary, non-binding transit arrangement rather than a permanent resettlement programme.
Chang has said the memorandum limits the number of third-country nationals to a maximum of 25 every two weeks, with individuals expected to remain in Jamaica for up to 14 days while awaiting transfer to their home countries or another destination. He has also said participants will not be detained, may apply for asylum through the courts and will be monitored by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The minister has further stated that the arrangement would be suspended if more than 10 transit migrants remain in Jamaica during any 30-day period.
The issue has also generated political debate after a diplomatic note from the US Embassy in Kingston reportedly identified former ambassador to Washington and Cabinet minister Audrey Marks as having proposed the arrangement.
Marks has denied proposing that Jamaica receive up to 10,000 third-country nationals, saying discussions surrounding the transit agreement have been confused with a separate proposal she made in March 2025 to recruit skilled workers to Jamaica while serving as ambassador to the United States.
