Panic about deportations – Jamaica Observer

New YorkUSA

Jamaican leaders and immigration lawyers here who spoke with the Jamaica Observer They have been annoying to obviously reassure migrants who have nothing to fear if they are properly documented.

“I have been receiving many calls from people, some of which are holders of legal green cards, expressing deep concerns about what is happening,” said Rick Nugent, president of the Board of the National Association of Jamaican and support organizations (Najaso (Najaso ).

“Some are literally scared to do their normal business and there are reports of people who do not appear to work. There is a particular situation in which a tenant who awaits an response from the immigration authorities regarding a permanent residence application is afraid to remain in his current speech, ”said Nugent, who is also president of the Jamaica Jamaica Association of Maryland ( Jam).

President Trump, as noted during the November 2024 election campaign, ordered that undocumented migrants from the United States be eliminated. Since then, social networks have been flooded with horror stories of people who are randomly collected by immigration and customs control of the United States (ICE).

When asked why the Jamaicans with the state of permanent residence would be worried, Nugent suggested that some green card holders were also worried about what could happen when they are required to renew their cards.

“It is possible that some have committed minor crimes a long time ago, but they did not suffer punishment, hence the current concern if they were trapped in an immigration raid,” he told the Observer. “Some of these fears can be unfounded.”

Dr. Karren Dunkley, former head of the Jamaica Global Council for the Northeast of the United States, confirmed that there was “deep concern among some Jamaicans about the issue of deportation.”

“There are reports of nervousness and fear, even among people with applications that expect decisions for permanent residents,” added the social activist.

In New York, Ronnie Hammick, president of the Association of Ex -correctional officers of Jamaica, said that the highest level of fear was obvious not only among some within the Jamaican community but also among the citizens of the Caribbean in general.

The leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) last Wednesday agreed at their conference of government leaders in Bridgetown, Barbados, to accept their deported citizens who reside illegally in the United States.

“I think we have the obligation to accept our citizens who are deported, at the end of the day. We cannot make them state, ”said Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

“We just have to make sure there is collaboration at the regional level to ensure that those involved in criminal activities do not have the opportunity to travel freely within the Caricom space and create problems for us,” Browne added.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of San Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Denzil Douglas, said that the Caribbean, like the rest of the world, was “waiting to see the development of the new administration in the United States.”

“Of course, there are some immediate areas that we have … see,” said Douglas, referring to immigration problems and the mass movement of people outside the United States back to the Caribbean.

“We are asking that the public protocols be established and persecuted as we would have done in the past, where the names of the possible immigrants would be sent to us or the police,” he urged, noting that the names could also be submitted to missions of countries in Washington , processed and then the appropriate measures taken.

Talking to him Observer From New York, Hammick argued that the situation in which Caribbean migrants had found themselves in the United States had worsened since the mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, decided to cooperate with the Trump administration allowing the officers of the ICE operate freely in the city.

New York is one of the so -called sanctuary cities that provide assistance, such as refuge, to migrants looking for asylum and flee from the civil war and other atrocities.

Dr. Chauna Chin, based in California, the World Diaspora representative of Jamaica for the western United States, has also seen evidence of “fear and concern among some Jamaicans here.” So have the diaspora activists do Dr. Rupert Francis and Irwine Clare. Clare, however, suggested that people who had not committed any crime should have nothing to fear. He also reiterated the long advice that the people who qualify must take the necessary measures to become citizens.

Upon urge Wayne Golding and Winston Tucker in New York, based in Florida, two leading immigration lawyers that serve the citizens of the Caribbean, said that many of the concerns and fear are being fed by erroneous information and the lack of Understanding extends to social media platforms.

Tucker responded against the statement that Jamaiques who are US citizens could face problems returning to the country after traveling abroad, saying: “That is not true.

“Not all conditions put one in a position for elimination, since the law must and recognize each particular situation. Green card holders who compromise can have reasons to worry, but they must remember that there is due process, so I do not see the need to panic, ”said the lawyer.

Golding also acknowledged that while the possibility of deportation could be a matter of concern for some, there is no need to panic. He urged those with a criminal record to “turn off the light to themselves.”

Golding warned undocumented migrants who have children born in the US Its countries of origin.

In addition, he advised the headlines of Jamaican green cards to always take their letters, pointing out that “it is, in fact, a requirement and a minor crime so that you do not do it.”

Suggesting action on fear and panic, Vanessa Myrie, the global youth representative of the Jamaica Diaspora Council for the West of the United States, has published an eight -page notice on how undocumented Jamaicos can be protected under existing laws.

The document entitled ‘Navigation of changes in the immigration policy and the protection of their rights’, covers a wide range of issues such as what to do if they face immigration officers at home; create contingency plans to take care of children; keeping appropriate and updated documents; and avoid unnecessary confrontation with law agents.

Rick Nugent

Ronnie Hammick

Dr. Karren Dunkley