Jamaica says 10 of 22 third-country deportees from US have left the island
Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith says none with criminal backgrounds will be accepted, as St Kitts is among other states receiving deportees.
KINGSTON, Jamaica. Jamaica's government says 10 of the 22 foreign nationals deported to the island by the United States have now left the country, most of them for their home countries.
Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith told a post-Cabinet briefing this week that nine had left in recent days, in addition to one who departed shortly after the first group of third-country nationals arrived earlier this month. One person has asked to remain for an extended period.
Regional arrangement
Jamaica is among several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states that have accepted requests from the Trump administration to host people the US wants to deport to their home or other countries, with the help of the International Organisation for Migration.
As far as is known, Guyana, Belize, St Lucia, Dominica and St Kitts are among the countries that have received deportees. Jamaican officials say those on the island are mostly Spanish-speaking people from countries in the hemisphere.
'Jamaica is not one of them'
Johnson Smith said the remaining deportees were at different stages of the process for departure, and stressed that no one with a criminal background would be allowed into Jamaica.
"There are countries which have agreed to receive criminals. They exist."
"When the US speaks about sending criminals under the third country arrangements, then send them to those countries. Jamaica is not one of them," she said.
Jamaica is due to receive groups of no more than 25 people every two weeks, meaning a second group could arrive soon.
