KINGSTON, Jamaica—Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith says her ministry has made contact with two of three Jamaican men deported from the United States to Eswatini, however, they have advised that they do not wish to return to Jamaica at this time.

Senator Johnson Smith in a press release on Thursday, said the ministry received an official report from the Consulate General of Jamaica at Miami following a telephone call initiated by one of the men, who was accompanied on the call by his attorney. A second Jamaican national subsequently joined the call.

During the discussion, the men were reportedly advised of the consular assistance available to them and of the Government’s readiness to facilitate their return to Jamaica. They were also reportedly advised that the Government of Jamaica could not determine their immigration status in the United States or secure their return there. However, both men reportedly maintained that they do not wish to return to Jamaica.