Jamaica in talks to accept third-country migrants deported from US

KINGSTON, June 16 (Reuters) - Jamaica ‌is in ​talks ​with Washington over accepting third-country migrants deported by the United States, the country's Deputy Prime Minister and ‌Security Minister Horace Chang said in a statement on ⁠Tuesday.

The deal remains to be finalized, he said.

• U.S. President Donald Trump's ‌administration has overseen a mass ‌deportation drive, sealing deals with several countries to act as hosts for deportees of third nationalities often in exchange for ​payment, with El Salvador the most well-known example for holding over 200 Venezuelans in an anti-terrorism prison for four ⁠months.

• "This is an MOU (memorandum of understanding) and not a binding agreement," Chang said, adding ​that "respect for human rights remains a central principle."

• "Lessons were taken" from similar arrangements in the region, including ​the Caribbean nations of Belize, Dominica, ‌Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis, he added.

• Under the deal, Jamaica would act ⁠as a transit country for U.S. deportees, transferring up to 25 people every fortnight and hosting no more than 10 migrants at a ⁠time as it arranges travel to another country or their home nation.

• ​The U.S. State Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

• The deal was previously reported by the Jamaica Gleaner, which said ‌up to 10,000 deportees could be accepted under the deal. Chang said Jamaica had not agreed ‌to such a quota.

• The U.S. said it would support ⁠all associated costs and related ‌arrangements, Chang said, ​noting people with criminal backgrounds will not be accepted.

(Reporting by Zahra Burton and Sarah Morland; Editing by Christian ‌Schmollinger)

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