Gov't urged to swiftly develop plan for possible US mass deportations

By Kimone Witter    

 

Security Consultant Mark Shields is hoping that the country will hear in a matter of days the government's approach to the possible mass deportation of Jamaicans under US President Donald Trump's recent executive order to enforce a nationwide immigration crackdown.

 

The first phase targets people with criminal records which has drawn unease among some in the population.

 

In the meantime, routine bilateral immigration exercises with US authorities will continue.

 

On Thursday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamina Johnson Smith sought to assure that the National Security Council is rigorously assessing associated risks in relation to mass deportations and is actively engaged in formulating strategies to mitigate potential threats.

 

Speaking Friday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106, Mr. Shields expressed confidence in the government's ability to manage the situation.

 

"What the details of that are, we may not know all of those details. It may be a matter of national security that we don't know all of those details, but I'm sure over the days and weeks ahead, but hopefully days...we'll have a greater understanding of what will be done to give the public some reassurance. But the reality is the National Security Council has already met," he noted. 

 

Mr. Shields outlined the possible approach of the government to the increased return of individuals, including those with criminal backgrounds. 

 

"On a diplomatic level, it will be that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also our ambassador in Washington, Audrey Marks, they will be doing their part on a diplomatic level to work with the United States. And then on a strategic and tactical level, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, national security and even perhaps the JDF as well, in terms of some of its units will be working with federal agencies in order that we can begin that process of screening. I think we have to ensure that the public are reassured that these things are happening," he said.   

 

In the meantime, Custos of Westmoreland, Reverend Hartley Perrin, wants the government to treat with urgency, the expected increase in the return of Jamaicans under the US immigration crackdown.

 

Reverend Perrin is concerned that the country will be caught flat-footed. 

 

"My impression is that these things ought to have already been done, and there are certain things that have to be done because I don't think that there is a lot of time. I think there's a sense of urgency. I have looked at President Donald Trump and have seen how he has been operating. He does not waste time. What he says he's going to do, he gets done. And therefore, I would not be surprised that if we were accustomed to having a plane coming with deportees once a month, it could very well become once a week because he is bent on ensuring that persons who are in the United States illegally ought to be literally, as he probably said, kicked out." 

 

Reverend Perrin was also speaking Friday on the Morning Agenda.