October 13, 2026
PNP again demands that Gov’t fully and immediately disclose TCN arrangement with the U.S.
Written byClement Reid
The People’s National Party (PNP) is again demanding that the Government fully and immediately disclose the third-country nationals (TCNs) arrangement with the United States.
The demand follows yesterday’s announcement by the Ministries of National Security and Foreign Affairs that the first batch of TCNs will arrive on the island shortly.
In a press release today, the PNP said it is disgraceful and unthinkable that the Government could announce in a perfunctory manner that the first flight would arrive in Jamaica shortly, without tabling the full agreement in Parliament.
According to Opposition Spokesman on National Security, Fitz Jackson, the Government is asking Jamaicans to accept a security arrangement they have not been allowed to see.
Mr. Jackson said Jamaicans have not been told where these individuals will be housed, under what security conditions, or who will be responsible for monitoring them.
He argued that before a single flight lands, Parliament must see this agreement.
The PNP said in addition, the Government has failed to disclose the operating procedures, the legal liability Jamaica assumes, what happens if a receiving country refuses these individuals or how the costs of security, health and logistical support will be met given its assurance that Jamaica will not fund the arrangement.
The Opposition also called on the Government to define what it calls a transit arrangement and provide full details of the persons who will be arriving on a batch-by-batch basis.
The Opposition says that while the Government announced that the first flight will arrive shortly, it gave none of the specific information to which Jamaicans are fully entitled.
The PNP stated that it is outrageous that Jamaicans are getting truncated information through sporadic press statements from sundry ministries and not through a full and frank disclosure in Parliament.
The Opposition said while it supports safe and orderly migration and values Jamaica’s partnership with the United States, it cannot support an arrangement of this nature being implemented without Parliamentary scrutiny.
It stressed that the Government must table the full agreement and make a statement to Parliament immediately.
