United States officials are in talks with Jamaica over a plan that would allow the Caribbean nation to receive deportees from third countries, a development that could see Jamaica join other regional states cooperating with the Trump administration’s immigration policy agenda.
Dr. Horace Chang, Jamaica’s National Security Minister, has confirmed that the country has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States Department of Homeland Security to accept up to 25 third-country deportees every two weeks.
Chang said the deportees would not be held in detention, but added that plans for their accommodation have not yet been decided. He also noted that talks are still ongoing over the compensation Jamaica would receive for taking them in.
If the deal is eventually concluded, Jamaica would become part of a list of countries—including Mexico, El Salvador, Uganda, and others—that have already agreed to receive third-country migrants deported from the United States.
The decision has already drawn criticism from the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), which accused the Jamaican government of not being transparent about the ongoing negotiations.
The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) also warned that taking in the migrants could pose serious risks to Jamaica’s internal security, its international reputation, and its already strained social infrastructure.
“Jamaicans deserve to know whether discussions have taken place and whether any commitments or understandings have been reached,” Donna Scott Mottley, a spokesperson for the opposition, said in a statement.
“Jamaica, like other sovereign nations, is obligated under international laws to accept the return of its own citizens,” Chang stated. He added that the arrangement should not be misconstrued as “dumping” third-country nationals in Jamaica, stressing that it is a structured and managed process meant to transit individuals through the country to their final destinations, clearly distinguishing between the repatriation of Jamaican citizens and the processing of foreign nationals.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, through a spokesperson, said the administration is “utilizing all lawful options” in its efforts to carry out deportations.
In February 2026, a U.S. federal district court ruled the third-country removal policy unlawful, stating that migrants cannot be transferred to unnamed destinations without proper notice. Despite the ruling, the policy continues to be enforced pending appeal.
