As previously committed at a Post Cabinet Press Briefing, the Ministry of National Security and Peace and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade are updating the public on matters related to the MOU on Third Country Nationals signed earlier this year between the Governments of Jamaica and the United States of America. After internal consultations and thoughtful negotiations, both governments have finalised operating procedures related to the MOU in order to settle the guardrails and parameters underpinning the agreement. The arrangements were also finalised taking into account Jamaica's capacity constraints and our belief in the principles of safe, orderly and lawful migration.
The Ministry of National Security and Peace and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade further advise that Jamaica has also formally engaged with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the United Nations body responsible for migration matters, to support the third country nationals while they are in Jamaica and to facilitate their return to their home countries. As previously publicly noted, the arrangement will not be funded by the Government of Jamaica, and no third country national with criminal antecedents will be transiting through Jamaica.
In participating in the TCN programme, Jamaica will join close to 30 countries, including several members of CARICOM, who have similar arrangements. Furthermore, the government reiterates its commitment to working with the IOM and the Government of the United States of America to ensure that all arrangements for the next stage of TCN implementation are appropriately governed and implemented in accordance with both our domestic laws and international law.
Fact Sheet: Third Country Nationals are not deportees. They are not nationals of Jamaica, but are nationals of other countries who entered the USA illegally and are being returned to their home countries or to other countries through the IOM's Assisted Voluntary Return programme. This is a transit arrangement through which no criminals are to be sent. Please note that this agreement will be suspended if ten TCNs apply to remain in Jamaica through asylum or other humanitarian applications.