Jamaica Foreign Minister addresses US Third Country National agreement

Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith has stated that the United States government has not agreed to make its Third Country National (TCN) agreement with Jamaica public. This response follows calls from the People’s National Party (PNP) for the full and immediate disclosure of the arrangement.

Johnson Smith clarified that while other nations have published similar agreements, the U.S. has not done so for Jamaica. She maintained that the government negotiated the deal to protect Jamaican citizens and ensure compliance with international laws regarding safe and orderly migration.

The Minister noted that a mechanism has been established to apply a brake on the process if 10 TCNs apply for refugee status or other humanitarian processes. Under the agreement, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) will be responsible for the care, accommodation, and return of the TCNs, while Jamaica’s role is limited to landing and transporting them to the IOM.