On 18 June 2026, the Government of Jamaica publicly announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States of America to facilitate the temporary transit of Third Country Nationals (TCNs) through Jamaica. According to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr. Horace Chang, the agreement permits up to 25 individuals every two weeks to transit through Jamaica while arrangements are made for onward travel to a third country or their country of origin.
The Government stated that the agreement received Cabinet approval and was negotiated by several government ministries and the Attorney General’s Chambers. Operational guidelines governing implementation, including screening procedures, oversight mechanisms, suspension provisions, accommodation arrangements, and security checks, remain under development. Government officials also indicated that Jamaica retains discretion to refuse individuals proposed for transfer and that persons seeking to remain in Jamaica would be required to apply for asylum through the courts.
The announcement raises broader governance and human rights considerations concerning transparency, public access to information, oversight, and the implementation of international agreements affecting asylum seekers and migrants. While the Government has provided some information regarding the agreement, aspects of its operational framework and human rights safeguards remain to be fully articulated.