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Jamaica has received the inaugural cohort of third-country nationals under a bilateral arrangement with the United States, marking the operationalization of procedures tied to an agreement signed between the two governments in June. The 22 individuals—15 men and seven women—arrived in Jamaica on Tuesday, representing seven different nationalities, according to a joint statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Ministry of National Security and Peace.
The group is predominantly composed of migrants from Latin American countries, though the Jamaican authorities did not specify the exact breakdown by nation. Notably, no citizens from Caricom member states were included in this first arrival, and officials confirmed that none of the 22 individuals carried criminal records.
Responsibility for the group’s immediate welfare and onward movement has been assumed by the International Organisation for Migration, which will coordinate their return to their respective countries. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith confirmed that the operating procedures underpinning the arrangement have now been finalized between Kingston and Washington, paving the way for the structured management of future arrivals under the agreement.
The United States and Jamaica signed a memorandum of understanding regarding third-country nationals in June 2026. This arrangement allows Jamaica to serve as a transit point for migrants from other nations, with established protocols for their care and repatriation.
As a Caribbean nation, Jamaica’s role in managing third-country national migration reflects broader regional dynamics around migration flows and cooperation with the United States on border and security matters—issues that affect the wider Caribbean community.
Sources and attribution
- Jamaica Observer
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