Anger in Jamaica over deal to accept migrants deported from the US

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — A deal to accept migrants expelled by the United States was met with protests from Jamaica's main opposition party and several other groups.

The agreement was signed on June 10 by Washington and Kingston, which this week finished drafting regulations aimed at easing public outrage over the matter. The deal allows President Donald Trump's administration to send non-Jamaican migrants to the island while en route to their home countries.

Jamaica thus joins nearly 30 nations that have agreed to receive migrants expelled by the United States. The center-left opposition People's National Party (PNP), along with civic organizations, commentators and members of the Jamaican diaspora, is demanding that the ruling conservative Jamaica Labour Party go beyond this week's regulations and disclose the details of the agreement.

PNP officials say they are concerned about pressure on resources and national security, as well as human rights protections for migrants. They have also expressed fears that Jamaica could incur unexpected costs or receive individuals with criminal records.

"We simply do not trust what the government is saying," said Bishop Alvin Bailey, leader of an alliance of evangelical churches.

Jamaica's Ministries of National Security and Foreign Affairs have indicated that the new regulations stipulate that the United States will cover the cost of the agreement and will not send any migrants with criminal records.

Kingston also says that the UN's International Organization for Migration will attend to the needs of migrants while they are in the country.

PNP national security spokesman Fitz Jackson argued that citizens should know what their country has committed to. The document detailing the agreement also requires parliamentary approval, he added.

"Jamaicans are being asked to trust a secret document that affects their security, their communities and their public services," Jackson said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith indicated that Washington opposes making the details public. The State Department said it does not comment on communications with other governments.

"Generally, they have not disclosed their agreements, and they have not agreed to disclose this one," Johnson Smith said.