Kingston, Jamaica — Approximately 2,500 Jamaicans have been confirmed for deportation from the United States, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith. The update was provided at a press conference held on Thursday at the Office of the Prime Minister, where the minister addressed mounting concerns following reports that 4,000 nationals were due to be repatriated as part of a U.S. immigration crackdown.
“We recognize that yesterday there was a headline in a particular publication which generated significant public interest, stating that 4,000 Jamaicans were to be returned,” Johnson Smith stated. “Allow me to be clear that 4,000 Jamaicans are not being returned now. For some time, it has been in the public domain that the U.S. authorities had close to 4,000 persons in their records with final orders for deportation against their names. It is now our understanding that approximately 2,500 have been confirmed for removal over a period of time, to be determined by logistics, their own legal processes and other factors.”
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Deportation Not Unprecedented
The foreign minister underscored that deportation of Jamaican nationals from the United States is neither a new issue nor a recent development.
“It is not a new phenomenon. For decades, Jamaica has facilitated the repatriation of its citizens under established international arrangements,” she explained. “We receive our citizens when they are returned to us—just as we expect, and we do, repatriate foreign nationals who commit serious crimes or breaches of our immigration laws. We respect the rights of other countries to do so.”
Johnson Smith emphasized that the Government remains committed to honoring international obligations, while ensuring that national security and public safety are preserved.
“As immigration policies continue to evolve globally, the Government remains committed to honoring our international obligations while safeguarding national security and public safety,” she added.
Strengthening Reintegration Support
In response to the expected increase in returning nationals, the Government has expanded its reintegration framework. Johnson Smith announced the enhancement of the National Reintegration and Rehabilitation Strategy, a program designed to provide structured support to returnees.
“The Government has expanded the National Reintegration and Rehabilitation Strategy. On May 5th, Cabinet approved the establishment of a National Technical Working Group on Voluntary and Involuntary Migrants, recognising that not only is the grouping not homogenous in and of itself, but we now have a subgrouping of those who are returning of their own motion… and those who are being returned—those who have the decision made for them,” she said.
The working group is chaired by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and overseen by the Ministries of National Security and Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. It comprises a broad coalition of ministries, departments, agencies, and civil society partners.
“Its mandate is to coordinate reintegration services and to ensure that returnees are supported in a structured, sustainable manner,” the minister said. “This includes their reception, verification, health checks, security vetting, and access to social and legal support where necessary.”
Security Measures and Public Assurance
Anticipating concerns among the Jamaican public about security risks associated with the returning individuals, Minister Johnson Smith reassured that robust measures are already in place.
“Monitoring and detention measures are in place. They will be applied,” she asserted. “Stakeholders play key roles in helping us as partners in this reintegration and return process, and undoubtedly, there will be further updates on these matters.”
The minister concluded by reaffirming the Government’s dual commitment to national security and the dignified treatment of all returnees.
“Jamaica remains committed, and the Government remains committed, together with our partners, to treating all returnees with dignity and fairness while upholding our national security interests. The public will continue to receive updates from the relevant ministries as developments unfold,” she said.
This development comes amid ongoing changes in U.S. immigration enforcement practices and underscores the importance of coordinated response efforts between both governments, civil society, and community agencies in managing the impact of migration on national development.
