KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) Women’s Movement is demanding answers from the Government amid reports that Jamaica has agreed to participate in a United States (US) third-country nationals (TCN) arrangement.

According to the group, reports suggest that a senior Jamaican Government official volunteered Jamaica’s participation in the programme, under which the US seeks to remove individuals it wants out of its territory to countries other than their own, even if people have never been there before, have no connections in the country and don’t speak the language.

The PNP Women’s Movement said its concerns have been heightened by comments made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during an April 2025 interview. In those remarks, Rubio said the United States was seeking countries willing to accept individuals he described as “perverts, paedophiles and child rapists” and “some of the most despicable human beings.”

“If that is how the United States views the individuals it is seeking to remove from its territory, then the Government must explain why Jamaica would seek to become a destination under such an arrangement,” it said in a statement on Monday.

The group said women, mothers, caregivers and community leaders are particularly concerned about the potential implications for the safety and wellbeing of women and children should such individuals be allowed to reside within local communities.

The PNP Women’s Movement is seeking answers to several questions, including whether a Jamaican Government official volunteered the country’s participation, what national interests are being served, what categories of individuals could be transferred, and whether people convicted of serious crimes, including sexual offences against children, would be eligible for relocation to Jamaica.

The group is also calling for details on vetting and screening procedures, the agencies that would be responsible for monitoring transferred individuals, the safeguards that would be put in place to protect vulnerable communities, and the financial and social costs Jamaica could incur under the arrangement.

The group further questioned how the Government reconciles statements by Secretary Rubio that some individuals cannot be returned to their countries of origin with comments from Jamaica’s Security Minister Dr Horace Chang indicating that approximately 94 per cent of those transferred would eventually return to their home countries.

“These questions are even more urgent in light of statements indicating that individuals transferred under such an arrangement would not necessarily be detained but could live within Jamaican communities,” it said.

Last week, Dr Chang sought to clarify the proposed arrangement following widespread public discussion and media reports. According to the minister, Jamaica would accept no more than 25 third-country nationals from the United States at two-week intervals. He also indicated that the programme would be paused whenever more than 10 transferred individuals remain on the island.

The issue has generated significant public debate, with opposition figures and members of the Jamaican diaspora expressing concern about the agreement and calling on the Government to release full details of the arrangement, including any benefits Jamaica stands to receive.

The PNP Women’s Movement is urging the Government to provide a full public explanation of the arrangement and the measures that would be implemented to ensure the safety and security of Jamaicans.

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