Sixteen Haitians ordered to leave Jamaica for overstaying visit

A Parish Court judge has ordered 16 Haitian nationals to leave Jamaica after they were found to have overstayed the three-day period granted to them upon arrival. The order was issued after the group appeared in court on charges related to immigration breaches.

The ruling followed a police operation on Monday December 1, 2025, during which officers removed 29 Haitians from a premises on Andrea Crescent in Edgewater, Portmore. The location, which operates as an Airbnb, was found housing 21 males and eight females, including a juvenile.

Investigations revealed that the group arrived legally at Norman Manley International Airport in batches between November 26 and 30 and were admitted for transit to Panama. They were transported from the airport by taxi and JUTA vehicles to the Portmore residence, where they were registered and assigned rooms.

However, authorities say the majority overstayed, which led to their detention and processing at the Portmore Police Station. A team from the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency was brought in to assist with verification and travel arrangements.

Thirteen of the Haitians who still had valid authorization to leave were released and departed the island on December 2 and 3. The remaining 16 faced the court and were ordered to be removed from Jamaica on Wednesday. They were escorted to the airport and placed on outbound flights.

Police disclosed that the property had been monitored before, but increased occupancy by Haitian nationals raised concern among residents and law enforcement officials. The operator of the premises has been warned and is expected to undergo further questioning as investigations continue into whether the location is involved in organized migration activities.

- Ruddy Mathison

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