October 14, 2026

International Organisation for Migration explains reasons for supporting TCNs in receiving countries

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has sought to explain its reasons for supporting Third Country Nationals (TCNs) in the countries that receive them.

The IOM’s statement follows the arrival of over 20 TCNs in Jamaica yesterday.

The IOM explained that its work focuses on safeguarding the health, safety, dignity and well-being of the people impacted.

It said support begins only after the TCNs arrive in a receiving country at the request of the receiving Government and where essential safeguards are in place.

The IOM support is part of a long history of providing essential assistance to migrants who find themselves stranded or in situations of extreme vulnerability, whether that vulnerability arises from conflict, disaster or a government’s policy decision.

IOM assists in the context of third-country removals receiving basic services such as health care, counselling, protection screening, and clear, accurate, neutral and complete information about the options available to them.

If a TCN asks IOM to help them return to their country of origin, or to another country where they have the legal right to stay, IOM does so only after individualised counselling and protection screening, and only where the decision is made freely, voluntarily and on the basis of informed consent.

The organisation pointed out that in relation to getting funding from deporting countries, accepting funding to help people is not an endorsement of the policy that put them in need of help.

It explained that before agreeing to work in any country, it assesses whether receiving governments are prepared to commit to putting essential safeguards in place, including legal stay arrangements, freedom of movement and access to international protection.

It pointed out that removals to receiving countries still take place without IOM engagement, but as a result, migrants are more likely to be detained on arrival, or deported to their country of origin without the safeguards IOM would otherwise secure.

IOM stressed that it has no role in any country’s decision to admit or remove people and does not determine migration policy for any country.

It assured that it will not leave vulnerable people to face impossible circumstances alone.