Dear Editor,

In a recent announcement by Minister of National Security Robert “Bobby” Montague, Jamaicans were told that the Government will be granting amnesty to some 20,000 illegal aliens residing in Jamaica and, as a result, I am led to ask some questions.

While I have no issue with the granting of amnesty to those who really need it, this Government needs to tell the citizens of Jamaica on what grounds are these illegal aliens qualified for amnesty.

Amnesty to illegal aliens in most foreign countries are usually granted on the basis of political persecution in their home country; religious persecution in their home country; or grounds such as racial, medical, and other forms of discrimination that will or might have an adverse effect on their right to life. So how exactly do these 20,000 illegal aliens qualify for amnesty in Jamaica?

The bigger questions are:

1. If 20,000 illegal aliens can enter the shores of Jamaica, how exactly are the borders of Jamaica being protected?

2. Where are these 20,000 illegal aliens?

3. Are they being monitored by the security forces daily?

4. Are any of these illegal aliens wanted for crimes back in their home countries?

5. Where exactly do these 20,000 illegal aliens come from?

6. If this Government cannot find the funds to pay our civil servants, how do they intend to care for 20,000 illegal aliens when they are granted amnesty?

Once again, I am not against the granting of amnesty to those who really need it, but the citizens of Jamaica need to know the hows, wheres and whys, and not just being told we will grant amnesty to 20,000 illegal aliens.

Michelle Bradshaw

michelleannmariebradshaw@gmail.com