Dear Claudienne,

I was born in Jamaica and I also have US citizenship. In 2014, two years after I had migrated to the US, I paid a visit to Jamaica. Since then, stop orders placed on me by Jamaican immigration have been troubling.

On the return flight to the USA I was taken off the flight by Jamaican immigration officials. I was informed that I was flagged because a person with a similar name was charged and convicted for rape in Old Harbour. This person had disappeared after he was released on bail. Every time I visit Jamaica I am stopped and taken to a back room. I have to explain myself every time — and I was even taken off the plane twice.

I contacted my uncle who was a deputy superintendent (DSP) in the Jamaica Constabulary Force and told him what I was accused of. He knew that I had never lived in Old Harbour. After my uncle contacted the rape department and the head of immigration I was released later that evening. My uncle advised me to go to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) on my next trip to Jamaica and surrender copies of my passport; I did that. However, when I visited the island in 2017 I was again taken off the plane at the Norman Manley International Airport on the return flight to the US.

In 2019 when I travelled to the island through the Sangster International Airport, in Montego Bay, St James, the immigration officers again held me for hours and took me to a back room. I asked them to call the DSP in Kingston and I was eventually released. On the return flight to the US I was again held and then released.

I have also gone to the courts in Spanish Town, St Catherine, to try clearing up the matter but have had no success.

On hearing my plight a supervisor at Sangster International Airport has tried to help me. He investigated my case and has noted his findings in a book at the airport. I now travel to the island via Sangster International Airport, and when I am detained I now refer the immigration officers to this book. The supervisor also advised me to check with immigration prior to leaving the island so as to avoid the embarrassment.

I was born and raised in Manchester and have never visited or lived in Old Harbour. Please help me to travel to and from di land mi love without any problem.

JC

Dear JC,

Tell Claudienne initially contacted PICA about your concerns after you wrote to the column in February this year. After several queries, in July PICA informed Tell Claudienne that for the matter to be investigated you would have to write to the agency.

You wrote to the PICA’s Chief Executive Officer Andrew Wynter on July 23, 2023. On August 8, 2023 Tell Claudienne received the following e-mail from Mr Wynter.

“The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) confirms receipt of your emails on behalf of JC, who indicated that while travelling he has been checked by immigration. Since receiving the information from both yourself and JC we conducted an investigation into the matter. Based on the findings of the investigation and information provided by JC, he should no longer experience any challenges while travelling to and from Jamaica. The matter is now closed and we would like to wish JC safe and secure travel going forward.”

On learning that you will no longer experience any challenges while travelling to Jamaica, you sent Tell Claudienne the following e-mail.

“Thank you very much for your dedication and determination in this matter. I’m so happy it is resolved. For seven years I have been embarrassed while entering and leaving Jamaica — so embarrassed to the point where tears come to my eyes for the way I have been treated and have to be explaining myself over and over again, sitting in that back room for hours, sometimes with no attention from the officers. But, with your help I feel relieved. Thanks again .

We wish you all the best.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company? Telephone 876- 936-9436 or Cell # 876-484-1349 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-421/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.