Jamaica to hold stakeholder talks before advancing structured US migration programme

The Government of Jamaica will consult local stakeholders before moving forward with a proposed structured migration programme involving the United States, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister Ambassador Audrey Marks has said.

Marks told a recent Jamaica Information Service ministerial update at Jamaica House that discussions will be held with trade unions, private sector groups, civil society organisations and opposition representatives ahead of any rollout.

She said the initiative is intended to respond to anticipated changes in United States immigration policy. Pointing to the America First policy document, Marks warned that the direction of US policy points toward mass deportations and a wider rethink of migration rules.

"When you read that, it clearly shows that there'll be mass deportations," she said. "In fact, not even a person whose parents born in another country and the child is born in the United States, even that would be questioned. So, there's a massive re-look, a significant and material re-look at America's migrant policy and immigration policy, so to speak."

Marks said that as ambassador, she must examine how policy shifts in the United States affect Jamaica whenever they arise.

The wider proposal also explores expanding opportunities for Jamaican seasonal workers in the US. Marks said the current cap stands at about 20,000 workers, while the government intends to propose raising that figure closer to 200,000.

"Right now the cap is about 20,000 and we'll be proposing more like 200,000," she said. "And so, my thinking was how do we get ahead of this situation and propose to the US that we can help. We can help because we have an established legal system of bringing workers into the country."

Marks insisted the programme would be designed to avoid displacing Jamaican workers, arguing instead that it would support economic expansion, skills development and job creation.