Opposition Leader Mark Golding has indicated that he will, on the Motion of Adjournment of Wednesday’s sitting of the House of Representatives, raise the issue of the bilateral arrangement currently under negotiation between the Jamaican and United States governments by which Jamaica will receive Third-Country Nationals (TCNs) sent from the United States.

In a story published in the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday, Minister of National Security and Peace Dr Horace Chang rejected reports that Jamaica is in discussions to accept up to 10,000 deportees from the United States.

However, Dr Chang confirmed that talks are underway for Jamaica to participate in a TCN agreement which will see not more than 25 individuals from the TCN in Jamaica at any one time.

“First, the report is false. There are no intentions to bring 10,000 illegal immigrants from the United States,” said Chang, who is also deputy prime minister.

“The numbers involved will be under 50 per fortnight, and they are designed with United Nations International Organization for Migration, [which] is working with the country. So they will be sent on to their own country,” he explained.

Golding earlier Wednesday wrote to Speaker of the House Juliet Holness indicating his intention to raise a matter of “national importance” on the Motion for the Adjournment of the day’s sitting.

In his letter to the speaker, Golding pointed out that Standing Orders 11 (1) and 11(2) provide for a member to raise for discussion, on the adjournment, a matter of definite urgent national importance”.