Trump's immigration plans leave Jamaicans in the US on edge

 

With the Donald Trump administration promising to impose severe limits on immigration in the United States, some Jamaicans living legally and illegally in the United States are on edge.

 

US-based immigration attorney Wayne Golding says some undocumented Jamaicans are fearful that some of the programmes through which they are seeking to obtain status in the country could be discontinued under the Trump administration.  

 

Speaking Monday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106FM, Mr. Golding said measures have been taken to educate immigrants about the steps that they can take, if they are arrested in a raid.

 

He is also urging Jamaicans to seek legal advice, noting that there are many types of relief that may be available to them. 

 

"Getting people into custody or putting them into deportation also triggers under the current law the ability of people to fight their cases through the immigration court. And ironically, some of the very people who might be caught up might be able to get some sort of relief, if and when they're put in immigration court. And it's a matter of getting educated on what the laws are, what the forms of relief that might be available for someone who is here illegally, especially in immigration court. So it's going to be a busy time," he reasoned. 

 

Mr. Golding said the mass deportation plan by the Trump administration will no doubt overwhelm that country's stretched resources.

 

He fears this could result in a repeat of previous incidents where children are separated from their parents in detention facilities. 

 

"Right now, the immigration system and court is backed up for years. They've tried their best over the last year or two to recruit new judges, new government attorneys. The detention facilities are bursting at the seams. And so we are looking at a system where possibly, state resources are now going to be used, especially in Florida, where we have a governor who is intent on assisting the federal government," he warned. 

 

Meanwhile, political commentator Lloyd B. Smith says Jamaicans should be concerned about the incoming Trump administration's plans on immigration.

 

Mr. Smith said the Jamaican government must take decisive action, especially as it relates to security and housing. 

 

"The government should become proactive and begin to look at what kind of social programmes it can develop to assist these persons. They are after all citizens of this country still. And so regardless of their background, whether it be criminal or otherwise, there should be some response from the state to ensure that for one, we don't have our streets being littered with them or on the other hand, they become a menace to society by preying on law abiding citizens," he suggested.