NEW YORK, USA — Wednesday’s announcement by the United States Department of State of a pause on immigration applications from 75 countries, including Jamaica, has come as no surprise to some diaspora leaders here.

The State Department announced that the Donald Trump Administration was “bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from America’s people”.

Immigration from the 75 countries will be paused while the Administration reassesses processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who are deemed likely to require public assistance while living in the United States.

The department did not give an indication of how long the review process would last.

The bar also includes Caribbean countries Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Florida-based immigration attorney Wayne Golding told the Jamaica Observer that he was not surprised at the new developments, describing it as “a possible revamp of the entire system for those seeking green cards”.

Green cards are officially known as permanent resident cards, and allow immigrants to live and work permanently in the United States.

The US remains the main destination of choice for Jamaican migrants with the latest figures from the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) showing a 23.4 per cent increase in 2022 when compared to 2021.

Figures for 2024 and 2025 have not yet been published, but according to the PIOJ’s Economic and Social Survey for Jamaica 2023, 16,482 Jamaicans migrated to the US in 2022, up from 13,357 in 2021.

According to the PIOJ, an average of 16,911 Jamaicans migrated to the US every year for the 11-year period 2013-2022.

The highest number of Jamaica migrants to the US was 2016, when 23,350 swapped the island for America. In 2020, 12,826 Jamaicans migrated to the US, the lowest figure for the 11 years.

Asked about immediate ripple effects from the Trump Administration announcement, Golding said “there is likely to be a significant waiting period” for those on filing, and he warned that “people should not seek to change their lifestyles by selling their houses or discontinuing going to school, for example”, while they await the next move.

There are many categories of filing, officially called the Petition for Alien Relative, that Jamaicans use to immigrate to the US. After a petition is approved, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) explained, the relative may apply for a green card. The petition is approved once USCIS determines that the applicant can establish a qualifying relationship between them and the relative that allows them to immigrate to the United States. Filing times vary between 12 months and up to 10 years or more, depending on the category the relative falls in.

Golding said part of the reason for the new policy is for the US to “seek those who can contribute to the growth of the country”.

“It is totally right for them to decide who they want to come into the country,” he said.

He also warned Jamaicans across the US to “ensure that you seek reputable immigration attorneys in all matters regarding immigration”, as there are too many people who provide false advice to unsuspecting people.

“Make the investment and hire knowledgeable immigration lawyers,” he cautioned.

For his part, Dr Rupert Francis of the Diaspora Task Force on Crime Intervention and Prevention said, “There is no surprise in what has taken place, and so we have to adjust to whatever new rules emerge.”

Irwine Clare Sr, a leading diaspora advocate who heads the New York-based Caribbean Immigration Service, also said he was not surprised at the move, given that “so much” is going on with the Trump Administration.

He said that he believes that the move will severely affect those who are planning to join family members in the United States.

“[But] this is also to ensure that only people with the requisite skills — such as our doctors and nurses — who can contribute to the development of the US will be welcomed,” he said.

Clare argued that, while he will not berate the Administration for its stance as it is the right of the US to set whatever laws are best in its interest, he is disappointed that those who have spent money on their applications will now be left in limbo.

He added that he is also concerned that, like some Caribbean counterparts, Jamaicans could soon be subjected to visa fee bond requirements for those seeking visitor’s visas.

Currently, four Caribbean countries — Haiti, Dominica, Cuba and Antigua and Barbuda — are subject to the visa bond, which requires applicants to pay a refundable bond of up to US$15,000 for a visitor’s visa to ensure compliance and reduce overstays.

Clare expressed hopes that the Jamaican Government will lobby its US counterpart on the issue, but acknowledged that “we will just have to adjust to the new rules”.

Last evening, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith confirmed that there is, in fact, a pause in the issuance of US immigrant visa applications from nationals of certain countries, including Jamaica.

“I repeat that this relates to immigrant visas only (persons seeking to live permanently in the US). This does not affect applications for regular tourist visas, student visas, business visas or visas [that are] part of the seasonal work programmes [farm work and hospitality], which continue to be processed by the US Embassy in Kingston,” Smith said.

”While detailed information is not available, I am advised that the US Embassy in Jamaica will provide such further clarity as they are able. I encourage persons with individual/family processes underway, and who have specific questions, to use their usual platforms and channels to seek updates.”

The US remains the main destination of choice for Jamaican migrants, who crave the coveted Green Card, displayed here.