THE location of the first batch of 22 third-country nationals (TCNs) that arrived in the island on Monday will remain concealed says National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang.

Responding to questions posed by journalists at a post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House Wednesday, Chang maintained that though he is aware of where the TCNs are being housed, it’s not his “privilege” to announce where they are.

“I cannot give you their housing. We handed them over to International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and they made arrangements for them as to where they are to stay. The officers were in Jamaica and they looked at a number of hotels; they now have the responsibility of where they are to stay. In fact, they can move them at anytime,” said Chang.

The group, which arrived under an agreement signed between the Jamaican and United States (US) governments in June this year, comprises of 15 males and seven females, representing seven nationalities.

According to the Government, under the agreement, up to 25 asylum seekers who have unresolved migration cases in the US will temporarily transit through Jamaica en route to their home countries every two weeks.

But Chang on Tuesday shared that he is unaware of when the next batch of TCNs will arrive.

“I cannot tell you when others will arrive. We have a 14-day gap. As I’ve indicated, we can get another trip after 14 days, but there’s no guarantee. It’s not like these are designated numbers as we have with the involuntary returned migrants that we receive — our own citizens. Every two weeks, we know we get a batch, a flight, anywhere from 50 to 75 individuals. The TCNs depend on the number which might penetrate the barrier getting into the United States, as well as where they are from and what the State Department will decide or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will decide where they’re sending them and to which country,” he said.

According to Chang, no limitations will be placed on the TCNs during their stay in the country.

“They are individuals from different cultures, and what they do is up to them. They are here as visitors and they are working closely with the IOM in terms of conveying relevant information. The IOM will extract the information they require to prepare them for transit to their home country. They are free to do as they wish, like any visitor to Jamaica.

“They are individuals, who just like you in this room are regular working people who have sought to migrate, but done so illegally to the United States. The ones we accept, there are no criminals in there. They’re just families looking for a better life and we are accommodating their transition back home,” Chang reiterated.

Responding to concerns about the number of people who may want to seek asylum, Chang told journalists that the issue is not one of the Government but that of the institution which deals with the applications.

“The commissioner that deals with asylum or refugee status is a public body. It’s like a court. The documents are available. And I’m not saying we’ll not say how many…It’s their right to do so. And if they do so, it will be established. The asylum committee will sit, and the public will have access to it,” he said adding that the process can be lengthy, but the Government will notify the public as the numbers are available.

“They may ask to stay without going to asylum. It’s their freedom to do so. They are here as visitors, and if they have a skill set that is in high demand, they may. Doesn’t mean we have to accept it, but they can apply for that as well as apply for refugee status. They have a number of options,” he said.

According to Chang, their options will be discussed with them by the IOM.

“The IOM will interrogate and not only make arrangements for their movement, if they seek other alternative arrangements, then the IOM will inform us and we take it from there. But that is an important part of the nature of the IOM. As indicated, the United Nations body, they do this kind of activity globally as a trusted organisation in humanitarian relief activity. And, therefore, we allow them to proceed without any interference,” he said.