St Mary resident opposes temporary stay of third country nationals in parish

A resident of St Mary has raised objections to the temporary stay of third country nationals in the parish, stating that the arrangement should not apply in the same way as visits or returns by Jamaicans.

Speaking in a TVJ segment, the woman said Jamaicans would be welcome because Jamaica is their home. She drew a clear line, however, when it came to third country nationals, whom she said are not Jamaican and for whom the island is not home in the same sense.

"If it was Jamaicans coming, they could come, because it's their home," she said.

She also questioned where the nationals would be placed, voicing concern about how they would be accommodated locally. "They are not Jamaican," she added. "Where they are going to put them?"

Her remarks point to local unease in St Mary over proposals involving the temporary stay of third country nationals within the parish.