Dear Editor,

For a while, several Jamaicans have been complaining about various types of treatment that they received from several immigration agents in member states, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) especially. Despite that, I strongly believe that a bona fide traveller having the necessary immigration documents will be permitted entry regardless of the person’s nationality.

Under the free movement clause of the Caricom treaty, skilled persons are entitled to move and work freely throughout the region if they are in possession of valid CSME certificates issued by member states. I am the holder of a CSME certificate issued in Jamaica. But if I decided to seek employment in T&T, for example, I am required to provide a police certificate from any country that I have lived for over six months, along with other supporting documents. This is a requirement for T&T nationals also. Although Jamaica, Barbados and T&T are the leaders with persons having the CSME certificates, there has been group-to-group opposition within a few member states, and now, there is state-to-state opposition because I believe that some people do not understand certain issues regarding to the integration.

Caricom passports only give the right to individuals to travel to other member states without the need for visas. Passports do not give the right to automatic admission, and a number of people are not aware of that.

For several months now, a number of Jamaicans have been travelling to T&T in search of work and other intentions. And it has become evident to the T&T Government.

As a child growing up, Barbados and T&T were considered small islands and many Jamaicans have little or no interest in these islands — only that some of West Indies’ finest cricketers are natives of these tiny islands. Nowadays, as a result of planning, reconstruction, emphasis on education and good leadership, it seems as if Jamaica is years behind T&T. Nonetheless, T&T has its fair share of problems with crime and violence. And, for sure, some Jamaicans are being mistreated because of their own acts.

I hope that the present situation or misunderstanding between T&T and Jamaica will be settled in a diplomatic way, because some of my fellow Jamaicans appear as if they are desperate to leave the country, and so they are using desperate measures resulting in admission problems. I believe that the problems will be settled if both governments adhere to the Treaty of the Chaguaramas, and some Jamaicans acquaint themselves with the immigration laws of other countries, while the media helps to educate people.

Charlie Brown

charliebrown1004@gmail.com