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Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith
By Nakinskie Robinson
The government has confirmed that a flight which landed in the island on Thursday afternoon with Jamaicans deported from the US is not connected with President Donald Trump's recent executive order to enforce a nationwide immigration crackdown.
The flight landed at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamina Johnson Smith says the flight is part of routine bilateral immigration exercises with US authorities, and is the first such scheduled flight for 2025.
While acknowledging that the new US immigration enforcement measures will result in an increased number of Jamaicans being repatriated, the minister said there are several processes involved and the Government of Jamaica "is actively monitoring the situation and will continue our historically close engagement with US authorities".
Amid concerns about national security and public safety given the possibility of an influx of deportees, some of whom may have a criminal record, Minister Johnson Smith said the government is assessing the potential threats.
"Persons subject to deportation fall into different categories. Some individuals have been convicted of very serious criminal offences, including violent crimes, while others may have breached immigration laws but have otherwise been law abiding residents engaged in productive employment. From a citizen security perspective, as a government, we are particularly concerned about the potential impact of the anticipated increased return of individuals with serious criminal backgrounds."
She said the National Security Council is rigorously assessing associated risks and is "actively engaged in formulating strategies to mitigate potential threats to public safety".
A National Security Ministry source told Radio Jamaica News that public concerns surrounding President Trump's mass deportation order will be addressed in the coming days.
Several countries in South and Central America, including Colombia and Ecuador have already received flights with deported migrants.
Meanwhile, Minister Johnson Smith urged the public to beware of widespread misinformation surrounding the mass repatriation exercise.
"We therefore encourage all Jamaicans to verify information before accepting or sharing contact. The best avenues are undoubtedly official US government sources, including the websites of relevant departments and congressional offices, as well as our Jamaican embassy in Washington and our Consulates General," she said.
She also strongly advised those who may have concerns about their personal immigration status to seek professional legal advice, adding that the Jamaican embassy in Washington, along with the Consulates General in New York and Miami have compiled contact information for attorneys with a track record of assisting members of the Jamaican diaspora.
"While these lists are not exhaustive, they provide a trusted starting point for those in need of legal guidance. They will be available on the relevant websites in very short order," the minister announced.
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