Jamaica considers hosting US deportees under Third-Country Nationals plan

Jamaica and the United States are set to discuss a Third-Country Nationals (TCN) agreement that would permit the transfer of up to 25 non-Jamaicans every two weeks to Jamaica for an unspecified period, potentially reaching about 10,000 individuals. The arrangement would be case-by-case, exclude unaccompanied minors, Jamaicans, and those with serious criminal records, and require documentation and adherence to the 1951 Refugee Convention; Jamaica could accept more or fewer cases at its discretion, and either side can end the pact with 90 days’ notice. The U.S. would not create financial obligations but may fund services via an international organization, with deportees arriving at Kingston and subject to U.S. and Jamaican processes. The idea follows previous, controversial TCN transfers and would be discussed in talks between Kingston and Washington.