Gov’t says no start date set for arrival of TCNs under arrangement with USA

September 16, 2026

Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith says there is no start date yet for the arrival of migrants under the Third Country National (TCN) agreement signed with the United States earlier this year.

The Ministry of Security and Peace in a statement says the Government has finalised operating procedures related to the agreement.

It states that the finalization of the guardrails and parameters underpinning the agreement, followed internal consultations and thoughtful negotiations between both governments.

The Ministry reiterates that the arrangement will not be funded by Jamaica and no third country national with criminal antecedents will transit through the island.

Speaking at the Post Cabinet Press Briefing this morning, Mrs. Johnson Smith said the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is conducting its own assessment before a start date is set.

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She stated that the TCN Agreement Memorandum of Understanding will not be released because the U.S. Government has not agreed to its publication.

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