Dear Editor,

Jamaicans encounter hostility when travelling due to the country’s negative reputation and, although other Caribbean countries don’t need visas to visit North America and England, Jamaica does not fall in this category. Even members of the Windrush generation who are permitted to remain legally in the UK have been victimised by hostile immigration policies.

The crux of the story is that the unscrupulous behaviour of some Jamaicans has created liabilities for law-abiding citizens. However, treating Jamaicans with contempt because some are unscrupulous must stop.

The Government should address this issue in foreign policy discussions with other states. Lobbying for visa restrictions is a futile exercise, but the Jamaican Government can lobby for the waiver of other requirements that are not imposed on other Caribbean countries. This matter should be pursued with equal passion like the Government’s approach to assisting Haitian refugees.

Some are emotional about Haiti’s socio-political condition, but one cannot afford to become sentimental in matters of immigration. Haitians are free to migrate legally to Jamaica so that they can work and study; however, the unfettered importation of Haitians into Jamaica should not become government policy.

Jamaica is a struggling country that cannot afford the additional burden of Haitian refugees. Barbados and the Bahamas are more successful countries than Jamaica so they should become receptive to hosting Haitian refugees. Other places and even Jamaicans think that Jamaica is a third-rate country, so the consensus that Jamaica is obliged to assist Haitian immigrants is impractical when other countries are better equipped to do so.

Many oppose deporting refugees to Haiti, but obviously they will become a drain on the public purse. Therefore, the best alternative is for Jamaica to deport refugees to sanctuary cities in the United States or establish an arrangement with the American Government for Jamaica to be compensated for hosting Haitian refugees. If America fails to comply with this request then the Government will have no option but to deport them to Haiti.

Furthermore, as the economy improves, we should update our immigration laws to prevent birthright citizenship. Under new laws, being born in Jamaica should not qualify one for citizenship. People must only be considered citizens if they have a parent who is a native or naturalised Jamaican. Other countries are influenced by laws and regulations, yet Jamaica is treated as a sacrificial lamb for the betterment of the Caribbean.

So, Jamaicans must get wise and stop acting like a lapdog for the rest of the world.

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com