Holness says third-country nationals deal bars anyone with a criminal record

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness sought yesterday to ease public concern about third-country nationals who may pass through Jamaica under an arrangement linked to the United States, stressing that anyone arriving with a criminal record would breach the understanding between Kingston and the Trump administration.

Speaking during a tour, Dr Holness said there is no intention for criminals to be included among those who might travel through the island. He said both sides would verify passenger lists, and that the presence of any such person would immediately invalidate the agreement. While the broad framework is settled, he noted that operational details have not yet been finalised.

The prime minister repeated a position already advanced by National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang: third-country nationals would not be settling in Jamaica. They are expected to move through the island in transit to their home countries, a role Jamaica was asked to support so travellers can connect onward without returning through the United States.

Dr Holness linked the issue to wider security gains, pointing out that Jamaica recorded fewer than 700 murders in 2025, the lowest figure in four decades. He said progress achieved by the Jamaica Constabulary Force would not be put at risk.

Addressing fears among residents, he argued that widespread alarm over the policy was misplaced given government investment in cutting violent crime. He also cited a July 2026 revision to the United States State Department travel advisory, which moved Jamaica from Level 3, where Americans were urged to reconsider travel, to Level 2, which calls for increased caution. He said that upgrade reflected improving conditions, including infrastructure development, and urged Jamaicans to reject what he called misleading claims about the arrangement.