Opposition challenges US third-country deportee pact as Parliament sitting turns chaotic

Parliamentary opposition figures are pushing back against the Jamaican government's agreement to accept third-country nationals removed from the United States, warning that the arrangement raises more questions than the administration has answered.

Opposition spokesman on national security Fitz Jackson said Jamaica should not become entangled in United States immigration enforcement, including daily reports of ICE arrests and deportations. In a statement on Tuesday, Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang confirmed that Jamaica has agreed to take third-country nationals arrested by US authorities. The Trump administration has pressed several nations to accept immigrants who entered the US illegally, including some convicted of serious offences; a number of countries have declined.

Jackson argued that Jamaica already faces severe detention pressure. He cited overcrowding at the General Penitentiary, built for roughly 700 inmates but now holding more than 1,000, and similar strain at St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre. He called on the government to publish the memorandum of understanding and disclose any limits on numbers, noting Chang's assurance that the figure would not reach 10,000 without stating a ceiling.

Wednesday's sitting descended into disorder after Chang addressed the House on the MOU signed last Thursday. Opposition Leader Mark Golding, Jackson, and other MPs questioned Jamaica's benefits, possible coercion, detention conditions, and whether Haitians and Cubans would be treated differently. Speaker of the House Juliet Holness suspended proceedings for five minutes after Westmoreland Western MP Dr. Dayton Campbell repeatedly pressed the Cuba issue despite her rulings. Prime Minister Andrew Holness was heard off microphone telling Campbell, "You are a bully." St. Catherine North Western MP Damion Crawford also interjected during the exchange. On resumption, Chang said the individuals would not be incarcerated, would be vetted, and could seek asylum, but that MOU details would not be tabled. Holness again urged members to observe proper conduct.

Separately, the Jamaica Constabulary Force said it has stepped up islandwide traffic enforcement with new breathalysers and speed radar units. Deputy Superintendent Marcus Graham reported more than 7,000 breathalyser tests since January 1, up from about 4,000 in the same period last year, with 70 drivers arrested after positive readings. Graham said the force is targeting dangerous behaviour, especially in Westmoreland, Hanover, Manchester, and St. Elizabeth, and aims to keep fatal crashes below 300 in 2026.

In St. Elizabeth, 29-year-old Dante Bent of Lot 77 Elm Street, Olive Park, Santa Cruz, faces gun-related charges after police found a metal safe in his kitchen during a Sunday morning operation. Officers said a search warrant led to a silver Smith & Wesson magazine containing three 9mm cartridges. Bent was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorised possession of ammunition and is due in court.