False news that TCN’s will be housed in St. Mary declares Security Minister

National Security and Peace Minister, Dr. Horace Chang has declared as false and misleading media reports that Third Country Nationals (TCNs) will be housed in St. Mary.

In a statement yesterday, Dr. Horace Chang reiterated that the Government has not approved the transfer of any TCNs to any location in Jamaica at this time, emphasising that there will be no transfers until the required operational procedures are finalised.

Declaring that Jamaica maintains full sovereignty over all decisions related to the programme, Dr Chang is adamant that the government has not approved the transfer of any third-country nationals to any location in Jamaica. He was responding to Television Jamaica’s Prime Time News broadcast on June 25, which suggested that TCNs would be accommodated in St. Mary.

“There is no Third Country National in Jamaica at this time, and the government has no arrangements for housing TCNs in St Mary. Any housing arrangements for TCNs are the responsibility of the International Organisation for Migration,” Dr Chang declared.

He said that no transfers will take place until the necessary operational procedures have been finalised, noting that a video circulating online misrepresents the government’s stated position and risks causing unnecessary public concern.

The minister is urging members of the public to verify information through official government sources rather than sharing unsubstantiated claims, promising to continue providing timely and accurate updates as necessary.