A diplomatic note from the United States (US) Embassy in Kingston has stated  that a Cabinet minister proposed a controversial deal to Washington that would have had Jamaica “receive” up to 10,000 third-country nationals (TCNs).

The note, sent to the Jamaican Government, said former Ambassador to the US and Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation, and Digital Transformation Audrey Marks made the proposal.

According to the note, shared with The Gleaner, Marks made the proposal to a US official attached to the US Department of Homeland Security during the Americas Counter Cartel Conference at the US Southern Command in Miami, Florida on March 5, 2026.