Some countries accepting criminals under third-country arrangements, but not Jamaica

October 28, 2026

Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith says that while some countries have agreed to accept criminals under third-country arrangements with the United States, Jamaica is not among them.

She made the clarification during a post-Cabinet press conference at Jamaica House this morning.

It follows yesterday’s publication by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which declared that the North American nation has removed some of its most serious criminal offenders to third countries under such arrangements.

The publication cites individuals convicted of offences including murder, rape, child sexual offences and drug trafficking.

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The Foreign Affairs Minister explained that persons being sent to Jamaica are individuals who entered the U.S. illegally.

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Meanwhile, Johnson Smith said that as at October 28, nine more TCNs have departed the island.

Yesterday, she announced that one of the 22 who arrived on October 13 had left the country.

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