ST JAMES, Jamaica — Opposition Leader Mark Golding is urging the government to come clean about reports that Jamaica and the US are mulling an agreement which would see foreign nationals who have run afoul of the law in America temporarily held in Jamaica until they are transferred to their country of birth.

“I don’t like the way that this has come to light, through a leak to a media house. Why isn’t the government levelling with the people about what is going on?” Golding told the Jamaica Observer on the sidelines of the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference now on at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

“Many people are going to have major misgivings about something which involves non-Jamaicans being brought here,” he added.

The Gleaner reported on Tuesday, that both countries are expected to begin talks on a Third-Country Nationals (TCN) agreement which could see up to 25 foreign nationals housed in Jamaica every fortnight. It was unclear how long the arrangement would last. The Government has not yet publicly reacted to the article, said to be from a leaked document.

Golding is urging them to provide clarity.

“What are the benefits to Jamaica? We don’t know. Nothing has been made clear and it’s going to be a major issue. I hope the government will come out quickly and explain exactly what they are doing so we can understand what it is and we can then comment on it from the point of view of having some knowledge of what’s going on,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“I know that other countries in the region have felt compelled to enter into these types of arrangements. We don’t know what’s happening behind the scenes, what pressures are being brought to bear and so on,” the Opposition leader added.

He stopped short of taking a position on the issue, however, saying he and the people of Jamaica need more information on the Government’s plans.