Jamaica has received its first third-country deportations from the United States, part of an international agreement initiated under President Donald Trump. On October 13, 2026, 22 deportees arrived at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica. Following their arrival, they were taken to an undisclosed location.
These deportations often involve individuals with no ties to Jamaica, leading to criticism from human rights groups regarding their legality. Jamaica is one of at least 35 countries that have entered into such agreements with the US, according to Third Country Deportation Watch, an advocacy project associated with Refugees International and Human Rights First. The Trump administration has allocated approximately $410 million to support these efforts, as reported by The Washington Post.
In June, Jamaica signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate the reception of third-country deportations, with the stipulation that any deportees would be transferred to their home countries or other destinations. The Jamaican government has stated that it will not accept deportees with criminal records.
Jamaica's Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a joint statement emphasizing that the arrangement is intended to assist in the return of third-country nationals to their countries of origin or other receiving nations, with support from the International Organization for Migration. They clarified that the arrangement would not be funded by the Jamaican government.
Opposition leaders in Jamaica have raised concerns about the deportation deal, questioning its lack of public disclosure and its implications for national security. Fitz Jackson, the opposition spokesperson on national security, expressed skepticism about trusting a confidential agreement that affects public safety.
In response, Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith stated that all questions regarding the deal have been addressed and noted that the US has not agreed to make the agreement public. She reiterated that Jamaica's agreement does not include the acceptance of deportees with criminal records.
Legal challenges to third-country deportations are ongoing in the US, where advocates argue that deportees are being removed without due process. Critics contend that such deportations may place individuals in dangerous situations, as some recipient countries are experiencing conflict or have been accused of human rights violations. There are concerns that these deportations may circumvent court protection orders designed to prevent the return of individuals to countries where they face violence or persecution.
A February report from Democrats on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee included an anonymous official stating that the intent behind these deportations is to instill fear among immigrants. The official remarked that the administration's strategy is to threaten individuals with the possibility of being dropped in precarious situations.