No shift in US policy to pause immigrant visa processing for Jamaicans

 

 

 

Jamaica has seen little movement towards resuming the immigrant visa processing for the US after Washington announced a freeze on process for 75 countries in January.

 

Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith says the government is still in the dark as to why Jamaica was included, even as both governments have been engaged on the matter. 

 

"There has been engagement. There has not been any clarity on the basis for which Jamaica was placed on that list. In fact, the general sentiment is one of surprise, but it is a broad examination of processes where we're advised, and that the system is paused. So we continue to remain engaged and open to provide any information that's requested. But generally there has been a sense of openness to engagement and recognition that Jamaicans generally are productive members of the diaspora community, and we continue to leverage that in discussions that we hold," she advised.

 

Minister Johnson Smith was speaking at a post Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday. 

 

On January 4, US President Donald Trump posted to his Truth Social account a list of 120 countries whose citizens received the most welfare benefits in the US. 

 

The list of 75 aligns with some of the highest recipients, including Jamaica.