Jamaica ready to process asylum applications from TCNs - Chang

National Security and Peace Minister Dr Horace Chang says the government is fully prepared to process asylum applications from Third Country Nationals (TCNs) should the need arise.

This follows yesterday’s arrival of the first batch under Jamaica’s agreement with the United States.

According to the government, under the terms of the agreement, if 10 or more TCNs apply to remain in Jamaica through asylum applications or other humanitarian processes, the entire transfer programme will be halted.

Speaking at this morning’s Post Cabinet Media Briefing Chang reiterated that any TCN who makes such an application would do so through the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), a United Nations body.

“If they do so, and we're discussing who are seeking this, they may make it, but we're not going to chase down and announce every day. They are individuals, you know, they  are regular working people who have sought to migrate, but have done so illegally in the United States. The ones we accept, there are no criminals in there, they are families looking for a better life," Chang told the media. 

Only five of the 22 who landed yesterday speak English, and Chang, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, revealed that Jamaica’s request for skilled English speakers did not form part of the prerequisite for the first arrivals:

"No, we have not. That's not part of the agreement anyway. What we've indicated, we will screen them for public health and security issues when they get here. We'll have an idea of who they are, but they're sending individuals who they wish to transition back to their home countries. Some may be skilled, some may not be, right? That is not part of the screening process." 

The National Security Minister said while the government will not release a daily count, once the threshold of 10 is reached, the programme will be suspended:

“When it becomes significant, if I'm at one of these press conferences, I will indicate to you that's the number of people that have applied.  They go through a process, it takes a while, so it's not something you rush to make. But yes, if 10 people applied to stay in Jamaica, they may ask to stay without going through or asking for asylum either. They have the freedom to do so. They are literate and if they have a skill set that is in high demand, they may apply. Doesn't mean we accept, but they can also apply for that as well as they can ask for refugee status,” he explained.

The government has not revealed where the present batch of TCNs are being housed, but Chang indicated that the15 men and seven women are free to move about after being granted visitor status on arrival yesterday.

The government has not released details of the agreement and the IOM has not commented publicly on the matter.

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