Two Jamaicans deported by US to Eswatini decline government's offer to return home

Two of the three Jamaican men deported by the United States to Eswatini have told Jamaican officials they do not wish to return to Jamaica, despite the government's offer to facilitate their repatriation.

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith said Thursday that officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade have established contact with two of the men, who indicated they instead want to return to their families in the United States.

According to the ministry, the update followed an official report from Jamaica's Consulate General in Miami after one of the men initiated a telephone call while accompanied by his attorney. A second Jamaican national later joined the conversation.

During the call, the men were informed of the consular assistance available to them and the Jamaican government's willingness to facilitate their return home. However, they were also advised that Jamaica could not determine their immigration status in the United States or secure their return there.

Despite the offer, both men maintained that they do not wish to return to Jamaica.

The two men have been identified as 64-year-old pastor Junior Alves and another man publicly identified only as "Miller."

Alves' wife, Joan Alves, told The Gleaner that her husband has lived in the United States for 44 years and has served as a pastor for the past 25 years.

She said Alves may have had legal issues about 40 years ago but declined to provide details, saying he should address the matter himself.

According to The Gleaner, Alves was granted protection under the United Nations Convention Against Torture in 2016 and was required to report annually to U.S. immigration authorities.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not disclosed why the three men were deported to the southern African kingdom. It has also not said whether any of them had been charged with crimes in the United States.

Johnson Smith said Jamaica's High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, which is accredited to Eswatini, is continuing efforts to establish direct contact with the third Jamaican national.

The ministry said it has also engaged U.S. authorities through the Jamaican Embassy in Washington, D.C., seeking information about the circumstances surrounding the men's removal to Eswatini. Formal representations have also been made to the Government of Eswatini.

According to the ministry, individuals who seek entry into the United States on the basis that they fear persecution or threats to their lives if returned to Jamaica are not subject to a requirement that the U.S. government notify Jamaican authorities if they are later removed to a third country.

Refugee advocates have said that migrants granted protection under the Convention Against Torture or similar provisions may, under certain circumstances, be removed to a third country rather than their country of origin.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it remains available to provide consular assistance to the three men and to other Jamaican nationals overseas who require its support.