US in talks with Jamaica to send third-country migrants as rift widens in Caribbean
Jamaica has signed a memorandum of understanding with the US Department of Homeland Security to accept non-Jamaican deportees. The government describes the transit programme as temporary and tightly controlled. Religious leaders argue that stakeholders should have been consulted before the deal was finalized.
What changed
New details emerge regarding the temporary nature of the programme and opposition from church leaders.
Live updates
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Jamaica Defends US Migrant Transit Deal Amid Local Criticism
confidence 90%Jamaica has signed a memorandum of understanding with the US Department of Homeland Security to accept non-Jamaican deportees. The government describes the transit programme as temporary and tightly controlled. Religious leaders argue that stakeholders should have been consulted before the deal was finalized.
What's confirmed:
- Jamaica signed a memorandum of understanding with the US Department of Homeland Security to accept non-Jamaican deportees.
- The agreement allows for up to 25 people every two weeks.
- The Jamaican government states the migrant transit programme is temporary and will not permanently relocate migrants.
- Prime Minister Andrew Holness called public panic over the deal almost "ridiculous".
Still unconfirmed:
- Reverend Glendon Powell of the St James Ministers Fraternal claims the Church and other stakeholders should have been included in discussions before the deal was finished.
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Jamaica signs MOU with US to temporarily hold third-country deportees
confidence 90%Jamaica signed a memorandum of understanding with the US Department of Homeland Security to accept non-Jamaican deportees. The agreement allows up to 25 people every two weeks. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has dismissed public panic over the deal as almost "ridiculous".
What's confirmed:
- Jamaica signed a memorandum of understanding with the US Department of Homeland Security to accept up to 25 non-Jamaican deportees every two weeks.
- National security minister Horace Chang stated Jamaica is obligated under international laws to accept the return of its own citizens.
- Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated no one is seeking to "dump" undesirable persons on Jamaica.
- The Jamaican government says the United States initiated discussions on the Third Country Nationals program.
Still unconfirmed:
- A senior Jamaican Government official volunteered the country's participation in the programme.
- Trade union leaders fear the island could become a holding ground for undocumented migrants.
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US and Jamaica Negotiate Third-Country Migrant Transfers
confidence 100%Jamaica is talking with the United States about accepting deportees from other countries. This agreement would place Jamaica among several Caribbean nations collaborating with the US on migrant transfers.
What's confirmed:
- Jamaica is in discussions with the United States to accept third-country deportees.
- National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang confirmed a memorandum of understanding has been signed.
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Jamaica and US Discuss Agreement for Third-Country Deportees
confidence 90%Jamaica is in discussions with the United States to accept non-Jamaican deportees. National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang confirmed a memorandum of understanding has been signed. These migrants would be held in Jamaica temporarily.
What's confirmed:
- Jamaica and the United States are discussing the acceptance of third-country deportees.
- National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang confirmed a memorandum of understanding has been signed with the U.S.
- The proposal involves Jamaica temporarily holding deported migrants.
- Dr. Horace Chang stated that the deportee deal was a request from the U.S.
Still unconfirmed:
- A U.S. Embassy diplomatic note names a Cabinet minister as the originator of the third-country nationals proposal.
- There is a disputed 10,000-person quota for the agreement.
- Minister Marks was involved in an effort to attract skilled workers rather than the deportee proposal.