United

States President-elect Donald Trump recently announced his intention to deport more than three million illegal immigrants when he enters office. I am certain that quite a few of those will be Jamaicans. More than 45,000 Jamaicans were deported from abroad between 2000 and 2014. There were many others in 2015 and 2016, the most infamous being the 42 who were deported from Britain in September 2016.

These statistics show that Jamaica has one of the highest rates of deported migrants in the world, and with such a high number being sent to an already economically depressed nation, things are destined to deteriorate rapidly unless Jamaicans change course.

Upon arrival from deportation these individuals are ignored by the Government, shunned by their communities, and left to the mercy of the few who are willing to assist them. Most are unaware of civil society groups such as the Family Unification & Resettlement Initiative that are designed to assist them with reintegration, therefore their lives become an immense struggle as they face homelessness and unemployment.

If systematic policies and procedures are effected, deported migrants may become conduits for change in financial and social development. Instead of agonising over a potential reduction in jobs and threats to public safety, let us shift our trajectory to gaining politically and economically from the influx. The Jamaican Government should create a policy framework which will put these deported migrants in a position to contribute to the workforce as soon as possible after their arrival. They must be informed that Jamaica is indeed survivable, and that in order to truly thrive, they must work hard.

It is often said that a large number of deported migrants are simply unemployable, but it would be catastrophic to our economic development if we do not ameliorate that problem. We need to profit from our returnees and prevent an increase in crime by ensuring their successful reintegration into employment and self-employment. Make them aware of our zero-tolerance approach to crime for survival and the importance of increasing our GDP so they too can enjoy a more prosperous Jamaica.

Too many are lost in the system. Before or as soon as they arrive on the island, they should be met by specially trained immigration personnel who will make them aware of their options. Many return with new and enhanced skills that are crucial to our development and they should be encouraged to use them. Resources and assistance should be provided so that they can learn business development schemes and financial literacy in order to fully utilise their profitable skills. Those who are unskilled or low skilled can train at affordable institutions such as the HEART Trust/National Training Agency. HEART now offers a free entrepreneurial course which is as advantageous to them as it is to all high school graduates who have shunned degree programmes.

Consequently, the negative economic after-effects of such a high number of deported migrants each year will continue to outweigh the benefits if something is not done now. Do not chastise them, help them; to help us. Together we can build a better Jamaica.

sashakayfairclough@gmail.com