Jamaica Begins Receiving Third-country Deportees Under Controversial US Agreement

JAMAICA – The first flight carrying third-country nationals from the United States arrived in Jamaica on Tuesday, marking the start of a highly scrutinized bilateral agreement that uses the Caribbean nation as a temporary transit hub for migrants.

The group of 22 migrants, all adults including seven women, is being processed for 90-day landing status under the agreement between the two governments.

The individuals will be housed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which is responsible for their care, accommodation and onward movement to their countries of origin or other receiving countries.

Jamaica’s role will be limited to receiving the individuals and transporting them to the IOM, according to the government.