Jamaica in talks with US on third-country deportee transit arrangement

Concern has grown after reports emerged on Tuesday that the Government of Jamaica is holding continuing discussions with the United States on a third country nationals (TCN) arrangement that could involve routing non-Jamaican deportees through the island.

National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang confirmed that talks are under way on a memorandum of understanding that would have Jamaica help facilitate the organised movement of deportees who are not Jamaican citizens back to their countries of origin.

The disclosure has drawn public scrutiny, and Dr Chang used a media statement on Tuesday to respond to questions about the plan. He sought to reassure the public that officials are weighing all relevant safety measures.

According to the release, "it was not an automatic acceptance of any proposal and Jamaica's technical teams are engaged in detailed discussions with their United States counterparts to ensure that the framework included the necessary safeguards and protections for Jamaica."

Opposition spokesperson on foreign, regional and diaspora affairs, Senator Donna-Lee Scott-Mottley, has urged the administration to clarify the reports without delay. In a statement issued Tuesday, she acknowledged Jamaica's willingness to cooperate internationally, but said the accounts had stirred widespread unease and raised matters the Government must answer.

Senator Scott-Mottley said, "I reaffirm my commitment to promoting policies and initiatives that deepen the relationship between Jamaica and its global community. The challenges we face are significant, but so too is the potential that exists where Jamaicans at home and abroad work together in pursuit of a common purpose."

She added that the Government should treat the issue as urgent. Dr Chang, meanwhile, said potential hazards had been studied and weighed alongside Jamaica's duty to safeguard its interests. He noted the document is an MOU rather than a binding treaty, and would not take effect until agreed pre-implementation steps are finished, including the drafting of operational guidelines and procedures.