Jamaica bars criminal records under US third-country nationals pact as diaspora conference ends

The Government has made clear that persons with criminal records will not be accepted under Jamaica’s third-country nationals arrangement with the United States. National Security and Peace Minister Dr Horace Chang gave that assurance on Wednesday as he updated the House of Representatives on the pact, stressing that Jamaica keeps full discretion to accept or reject proposed individuals and that all documentation on identity, medical status and criminal history must be supplied.

Chang said refugee claims would be decided by the courts. If a criminal record surfaces after arrival because it was not disclosed initially, authorities may refuse refugee status and deport the person to their home country, which he noted international law requires to readmit them. He also said the United States will finance the stay of third-country nationals while they are in Jamaica, either side may pause the programme for review, and the operational working document for the memorandum of understanding will be tabled in Parliament.

Works Minister Robert Morgan reported that dualisation of Grange Lane in Portmore is complete and already easing travel for motorists and commuters. Widening of the Britain to Halse Hall main road has reached forty per cent completion. Tender processes are under way for widening Arthur Wint Drive and Camp Road, including potable water and sewage infrastructure, with the two packages totalling J$3.4 billion in planned spending. Morgan said the Shared Prosperity Through Accelerated Improvement to Our Road Network programme is twenty-six per cent complete, with nine work orders worth J$18.39 billion covering three hundred and sixty-nine roads; construction has started on two hundred and ten roads and one hundred and nine are finished.

The eleventh biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference concluded at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James, with Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando Terrelonge highlighting meaningful dialogue, strategic partnerships and stronger engagement between Jamaica and its overseas nationals. Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Senator Kamina Johnson-Smith said the event was oversubscribed for the first time and pointed to twenty-one registered community service projects, including medical missions, school repairs and rebuilding work in hurricane-affected Parottee, St Elizabeth.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness urged members of the diaspora to pursue opportunities under the Facilitated Acceleration for Strategic Transformation initiative, a programme linked to the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority that streamlines approvals for qualifying projects valued at US$15 million or more. Johnson-Smith also noted expanded diaspora governance structures, including a twenty-eight-member Global Jamaica Diaspora Council and a youth council, and said overseas missions continue working to channel diaspora contributions into reconstruction and investment.