The Ministry of National Security has sought to clarify the immigration arrangements regarding more than 250 passengers who landed in Jamaica last Thursday.
The passengers and crew members, were on flight USC GmbH, a German-registered aircraft.
In a statement on Monday, the Ministry says they were refused entry based on security concerns uncovered during processing.
Nora Gaye Banton tells us more.
The flight arrived in Jamaica legally on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
The ministry says it received the requisite approvals for operation from the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority.
However, despite having arrangements in place for accommodation and departure from the country, the passengers were refused entry by immigration officials.
This was based on security concerns uncovered during their processing at the airport.
The Ministry says passenger flights are routinely screened by local authorities for security threats and possible breaches of law.
In this instance, the Ministry says it was alerted to the operation of the flight based on what appeared to be anomalies and missing details from its initial permit application.
However, the necessary supporting documents were later supplied to satisfy the requirements.
In further details, the Ministry says upon landing in Jamaica, it was discovered that there were two passengers on the flight that did not appear on the submitted passenger manifest.
This led to further investigations by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency, PICA.
Based on those enhanced checks, the decision was made by PICA, not to grant the passengers leave to land in Jamaica.
It was deemed impractical to detain the passengers on the plane or at the airport due to the length of time needed to process them.
The passengers were therefore allowed to leave the airport on humanitarian grounds and escorted to the ROK hotel in downtown Kingston by law enforcement and immigration personnel.
The Ministry says the passengers already had reservations at the hotel.
It says the passengers remain accounted for and are currently at the Norman Manley International Airport, awaiting the finalisation of arrangements for their departure.
The cost of their accommodation and return will solely be the responsibility of the Charter Company and not the Government of Jamaica.
On Sunday, a radio news report said some of the people believed to be passengers on the charter flight were seen walking around and shopping on the waterfront in downtown Kingston.
PNP Spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Dr. Angela Brown Burke, highlighted the stark difference in the treatment of the passengers in comparison to several Haitians who’ve been repeatedly refused entry into Jamaica and summarily returned to Haiti.
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