Jamaicans being urged to desist from engaging in illegal immigration crossings

Jamaicans are being urged to desist from engaging in illegal immigration crossings which jeopardize their lives and fellow citizens.

The call has come from Foreign Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith.

Senator Johnson has also urged Jamaicans to follow the immigration laws of the countries they visit.

The latest report of Jamaicans using other countries as illegal transit points came from Belize, which last week announced new entry requirements for nationals from Haiti and Jamaica into the CARICOM country.

The John Briceno government said the decision follows an increasing number of visitors who are using Belize as a transit country to reach the United States.

Mrs Johnson Smith says the criminal behaviour of some Jamaicans in these countries is negatively affecting the experience of other Jamaicans at immigration points.

Mrs Johnson Smith says the Government has been monitoring the situation in the countries through which Jamaicans are crossing and assessing available data.

Jamaicans have also been using Panama and Mexico as illegal transit points.