Caribbean leaders say TCN arrangements will not disrupt security of region or divert resources and services from citizens

Caribbean leaders say every effort will be made to ensure that Third Country National (TCN) arrangements with the United States do not disrupt the security of countries in the Caribbean or divert resources and services from the citizens of respective nations.

Individual CARICOM Member States have been approached by the U.S. about the arranged transit of TCNs.

Some nations, like Jamaica, have already signed, while others are still in discussions with the U.S.

The migrant deal has raised concern among CARICOM nationals, among them is whether small countries have the capacity to manage the transit of TCNs.

In a statement today, CARICOM said the matter was among the discussions conducted at the recent conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM.

It said Heads of Government highlighted the fact that the proposed Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) were intended to provide for the transit of individuals without criminal antecedents to their home countries, rather than settlement in Member States and emphasized the need for citizens of the region to understand the distinction.

The regional leaders further agreed that every effort should be made to engage CARICOM citizens on these issues.

They also affirmed their commitment to the principles of safe, orderly and regular migration and to the dignity of migrants.

They also noted that 30 countries globally had already signed TCN MOUs.