Caribbean countries have tried to reassure citizens in their homes and in the US after misinformation spread across their social media channels.
The incredible narrative claiming that 5,000 Jamaicans have already been given final removal orders or that over a million undocumented people have been on the federal enforcement list has sparked concerns across the region. It’s there.
But while the Trump administration and its media supporters portray an unprecedented, widespread crackdown on irregular immigration, the scale of the project remains unknown.
Jamaican Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith said “tens of thousands of Jamaicans are set to be deported at the same time and at the same time.”
“The new immigration enforcement action will increase the number of Jamaicans, but there are several processes involved,” she said in a statement.
She added that Jamaica “continues historically close engagement with US authorities” and “celebrating its international obligation to require the acceptance of citizens subject to deportation.”
However, Johnson Smith warned that the government is “particularly concerned about the potential impact of the expected increase in individuals with significant criminal history.”
In St. Lucia, the government has established a task force to “oppose the potential negative impacts of US policy change.” Announced that, Prime Minister Philippe Pierre said: “We are a very small economy. When it comes to tariffs, we are concerned about the costs of our goods and services in St. Lucia, especially the costs of food inflation. As you know, we have a lot of food and other food items from the US. We import products.”
Saint Vincent and Grenazine Prime Minister Ralph Goncalves also raised concerns about the impact of US policy changes, particularly the lack of information sharing regarding those who are being deported.
“You might deport someone – tell them who’s in prison for a robbery – you’ll send them home (but) all the information we have is That means John Brown had been serving for five years, robbery, armed robbery, or whatever it was.
“We don’t know this person’s history. How long has he been in the United States… what is his or her skills, educational achievements, what is his or her criminal history?” he said.
Gonsalves said the information helps people reintegrate into the community.
Irwinclair, managing director of the New York-based NGO Caribbean Immigration Services, agreed that the government needs to know the background of those being deported.
“A lot of people were coming back, they were past time and just got caught up in the system, so these types are in contrast to people who have a criminal history and probably even imprisoned. “There needs to be some degree of differentiation among the outcasts of the,” he said.
Claire said the increase in deportation will cause more pain for Caribbean families. Because American earners will be sent back to countries where they may struggle to find useful jobs.
The crackdown on transition could affect remittances sent to Caribbean families from the US to families, which has historically contributed greatly to the Caribbean economy. One report later last year estimated that remittances would inject $18.4 billion into the region in 2024.
Marlon Hill, a Jamaican-American lawyer and former president of the Florida-based Caribbean Bar Association, said the Caribbean countries need to take a positive approach to changing the new administration. He said: “We need to decide: the Caribbean is the first. We understand what we need to inform ourselves, empower ourselves, and care for the people of our community. It must be.
“What are the options for compliance with immigration laws? If you are a permanent resident, why are you not a US citizen? Why didn’t you apply? You We can help families of the United States. So, just as America first thinks about America, we must also think about the Caribbean first. We are not helpless in that regard.”
