JAMAICA could soon receive its first batch of third-country nationals (TCNs) from the United States (US) as Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith confirmed that both governments have finalised operating procedures related to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that was signed earlier this year.

Jamaica now joins 30 countries, including several members of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), which have similar arrangements with the US Government amid its ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration.

“After internal consultations and thoughtful negotiations, both governments have now finalised operating procedures related to the MOU in order to settle the guard rails 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,” said Johnson Smith, speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday.

The agreement, Johnson Smith clarified, will see 25 TCNs entering the country biweekly. While here, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will provide basic services, like health care and counselling, to help with their transition.

The minister reiterated that under no circumstance will more than 25 TCNs be present in the island.

“We have also not agreed to receive 10,000 individuals. We have negotiated guard rails to address capacity constraints, and have, therefore, agreed to a maximum of 25 individuals per two-week period, which the IOM will, of course, be on a continuous basis making arrangements for their return.

“Furthermore, this arrangement will be suspended if 10 TCNs apply to remain in Jamaica through asylum procedures or other humanitarian applications. This, again, is specifically negotiated by Jamaica,” said Johnson Smith.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith confirmed that the United States and Jamaica have finalised operating procedures related to the memorandum of understanding for TCNs that was signed earlier this year.

She further explained that TCNs were not deportees but the nationals of other countries who entered the US unlawfully and are being returned to their home countries through the IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return Programme.

Johnson Smith added that while she is aware that some countries have opted to accept TCNs with criminal records, Jamaica will only facilitate those with no previous convictions.

“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,” she said.

Additionally, while acknowledging Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang’s previous commitment to release the agreement, Johnson Smith explained that the MOU’s bilateral status prevents it from being made public.

“As indicated, this is not a unilateral arrangement; it is a bilateral arrangement, and one in which they [the United States] have not generally released their agreements, and they have not agreed to release this one,” she said.

“I give you every assurance as well that we have all shared all the relevant and material matters, provisions, in relation to the matter. So there’s nothing being hidden per se, but as you would note, even under the ATI [Access to Information Act], bilateral agreements, security agreements, arrangements that are sensitive to relations between countries and otherwise are treated differently from other agreements,” explained Johnson Smith.

Despite not being able to give an official start date for when the first TCNs are expected to arrive, Johnson Smith affirmed that Jamaicans will be regularly updated as conversations advance.