Gov’t says IOM to handle care, return of third-country nationals under US deal

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government has defended its agreement with the United States (US) to facilitate the transit of third-country nationals (TCNs) through Jamaica, saying safeguards have been negotiated to protect the country and its people, including a provision to suspend the arrangement if 10 individuals seek to remain on humanitarian grounds. The Government said the International Organization for Migration (IOM) would be fully responsible for the care, accommodation and return of the individuals, while Jamaica’s role would be limited to receiving them and transporting them to the IOM. READ: First flight with third country nationals to arrive in Jamaica ‘shortly,’ Gov’t says “We have made every effort to negotiate this transit agreement with protection of Jamaica and the Jamaican people in mind — also in accordance with the principles of safe and orderly migration, consistent with domestic and international law,” the Government said. The statement comes amid questions raised by Member of Parliament Fitz Jackson about the arrangement, which the Government said had been addressed. The Government reiterated that, unlike some countries which have agreed to receive individuals with criminal backgrounds, Jamaica would not permit TCNs with criminal antecedents to transit through the programme. It also explained that while some countries have made their agreements public, the United States had not agreed to the publication of Jamaica’s agreement, adding that this was not due to anything prejudicial in the arrangement. Under the agreement, the number of individuals permitted to transit through Jamaica will be capped at 25 per fortnight. The Government and the United States have finalised operating procedures for the arrangement, including safeguards and parameters intended to ensure its implementation in a safe, orderly and lawful manner. The first flight carrying TCNs is expected to arrive in Jamaica shortly. The Government has said the arrangement is intended to facilitate the return of the individuals to their countries of origin or other receiving countries, with the IOM providing assistance and facilitating their onward movement. The arrangement will not be funded by the Jamaican Government, and the memorandum of understanding provides for its suspension if 10 TCNs apply for asylum in Jamaica or seek to remain through other humanitarian processes.