A Jamaican-American advocate has asked members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation to seek answers from the United States government regarding the third-country nationals (TCN) agreement signed between Jamaica and Washington, according to the Jamaica Gleaner.
The newspaper reported that Patrick Beckford, a constituent in New Jersey, has written to US Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, as well as Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, requesting that they seek full disclosure from the US Department of State on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) governing the transfer and transit of third-country nationals through Jamaica.
In his letter, Beckford said the agreement appeared to involve US immigration policy, foreign relations and the possible use of taxpayer funds.
‘Because this agreement appears to involve immigration policy, foreign relations, and potentially the expenditure of US taxpayer resources, I respectfully request that your offices seek clarification from the US Department of State and any other relevant federal agencies regarding the following matters,’ he wrote.
According to the Jamaica Gleaner, Beckford wants US lawmakers to obtain details on the operational, financial and legal framework of the agreement, which Jamaica’s Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr Horace Chang, said was signed three weeks ago.
The advocate is also seeking clarification on the categories of people covered under the arrangement, including whether it applies to families, children, asylum seekers or people with criminal records, as well as the legal authority under which the agreement was concluded and the officials responsible for negotiating it.
The newspaper reported that Beckford is also requesting information on the length of time individuals would remain in Jamaica, the human rights and medical screening safeguards that would apply, whether US taxpayer funds or other financial compensation are being used to support the arrangement, and whether the US Congress was consulted before the agreement was signed.
He also called for reporting mechanisms and periodic public disclosures to ensure accountability.
‘As Americans, we recognise that immigration policy is often complex and politically challenging. Nevertheless, democratic societies function best when governments operate transparently and remain accountable to the people they serve. Agreements affecting sovereign nations, taxpayer resources, and vulnerable individuals should be subject to appropriate public scrutiny rather than uncertainty or speculation,’ Beckford wrote.
‘The Jamaican-American community has long maintained strong cultural, economic, and civic ties to both countries. Many of us simply seek factual information so that public discussion may be guided by evidence rather than rumour.
‘Accordingly, I respectfully request that your offices make formal inquiries of the Department of State and any other appropriate federal agencies and, where possible, share the resulting information with your constituents,’ he added.
The Jamaica Gleaner noted that the Jamaican government has repeatedly described the agreement as a temporary, non-binding transit arrangement rather than a permanent resettlement programme.
Chang has said the memorandum limits the number of third-country nationals to a maximum of 25 every two weeks, with individuals expected to remain in Jamaica for up to 14 days while awaiting transfer to their home countries or another destination. He has also said participants will not be detained, may apply for asylum through the courts and will be monitored by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The minister has further stated that the arrangement would be suspended if more than 10 transit migrants remain in Jamaica during any 30-day period.
According to the Jamaica Gleaner, the issue has also generated political debate after a diplomatic note from the US Embassy in Kingston reportedly identified former ambassador to Washington and Cabinet minister Audrey Marks as having proposed the arrangement.
Marks has denied proposing that Jamaica receive up to 10,000 third-country nationals, saying discussions surrounding the transit agreement have been confused with a separate proposal she made in March 2025 to recruit skilled workers to Jamaica while serving as ambassador to the United States.