The Government says the Memorandum of Understanding contemplates transfers of up to 25 individuals every two weeks.

However this will be done with an operational safeguard.

National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang says the MOU to accept foreigners deported from the United States does not take effect until the completion of agreed pre-implementation requirements.

These include the finalisation of operational guidelines and procedures.

He says the MOU also does not create an automatic obligation for Jamaica to accept any individual, and ither country retains the ability to terminate the arrangement.

A statement from Dr. Chang says there will be no transfer until both countries have agreed on the required operational procedures for orderly implementation.

Those procedures will establish the safeguards for implementation, including screening, verification, oversight mechanisms, and provisions for suspension where necessary.

Jamaica will retain the authority to reject any individual proposed for transfer on any flight.

Prior health screening, identity verification, criminal record checks, and clearance from the national intelligence bureau will be key requirements before any individual is considered for acceptance.

Individuals with criminal antecedents will not be accepted under this arrangement as Jamaica’s security considerations remain paramount.

Dr. Chang says a reported figure of 10 thousand individuals does not represent a quota or commitment under the agreement

He states that the process will be controlled and phased.

He says while the understanding contemplates transfers of up to 25 individuals every two weeks, this is subject to an important operational safeguard.

Where the number of individuals pending transfer or remaining in Jamaica exceeds a threshold of 10 persons, the process will be paused until conditions are reviewed and normalised.

This is to ensure that there is no more than 10 remaining in Jamaica within any 30 day window.

Dr. Chang says the final numbers under this arrangement remain contingent on that flow and it is designed to establish parameters appropriate and manageable for Jamaica.

The Minister says the Government has also insisted that all actions, under this arrangement, comply with the domestic laws of both countries and applicable international obligations.

He says the Government has also been guided by international best practice and cooperation frameworks, including principles promoted by the international organization for migration, particularly in relation to humane, orderly and rights based migration management.

He assures that respect for human rights remains a central principle.

He says the United States has indicated that it will support all costs associated with the transfer process and related arrangements.