Deported Jamaicans Reject Government’s Offer to Return to the Island

Two of the three Jamaican nationals recently deported by the United States to the African kingdom of Eswatini have declined the Jamaican Government’s offer to facilitate their return to the island, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

The ministry said the men were contacted through the Jamaican Consulate General in Miami after one of them initiated a telephone call while accompanied by his attorney. A second Jamaican national later joined the discussion.

During the conversation, officials advised the men that consular assistance was available and that the Government of Jamaica was prepared to arrange their return home. However, the ministry noted that both men stated they did not wish to return to Jamaica.

Authorities also informed them that Jamaica could not determine their immigration status in the United States or secure their return there. Officials added that efforts are continuing to establish contact with the third Jamaican deported under the same programme.

The latest development follows diplomatic discussions between Jamaican officials and their counterparts in Washington, as well as formal representations made to the Government of Eswatini through Jamaica’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria, South Africa.

The United States’ policy of sending some deportees to third countries has attracted criticism from lawyers and human rights organisations, particularly in cases involving deportees with no previous ties to the receiving country.

The issue previously gained attention when Jamaican national Orville Etoria was deported to Eswatini in July 2025. His legal team argued that the removal was unlawful and claimed he and others were repeatedly denied access to legal representation. Etoria was eventually returned to Jamaica in September 2025 with assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The identities of the two Jamaicans who have declined repatriation have not been released.