Twenty-eight individuals from 15 countries have officially become Jamaican citizens, solidifying their commitment to the island in a recent swearing-in ceremony. The new citizens received their formal documents from the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) at the Police Officers Club in St. Andrew on June 6.
The diverse group of men, women, and children hail from a wide array of nations, including the United Arab Emirates, United States of America, United Kingdom, Belize, Haiti, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Poland, Cuba, Russia, Dominican Republic, and Myanmar.
The pathways to citizenship varied among the group, with 12 individuals obtaining citizenship by naturalisation, seven through marriage, two by registration, and seven by descent.
In a welcoming address, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, encouraged the new Jamaicans to continue contributing to the nation’s growth and development.
“Choosing to become a citizen of a country is more than just your legal status. It demonstrates not only your willingness to adhere to the rule of law, and to respect the values, responsibilities and legacy of our country, but to see our country as a place to live, work and raise your families and to be part of this great Jamaican family,” Dr. Chang stated.
He emphasised that despite their diverse origins, they now share a common heritage. “As a new citizen, you now share in the rights and privileges of citizenship: the right to vote, the right to participate in shaping our society, and the right to stand up for justice and equality. But with these rights come responsibilities to respect the laws, to contribute to your communities, and to uphold the values of democracy, freedom, and respect for others,” Dr. Chang added.
“You all bring unique experiences, cultures, and stories that will enrich our communities. Your decision to acquire Jamaican citizenship speaks to your hope and belief in the promise of this country. After all, out of many we are, indeed, one people,” he concluded.
The Minister also highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to policies and programmes aimed at fostering steady national growth and development. Dr. Chang further revealed that PICA has received nearly 18,000 citizenship applications over the past three years.
“We consider ourselves as a desirable location for visitors and for persons desirous of citizenship. As we put measures in place to address and overcome our legacy challenges… we anticipate that more persons, whether of Jamaican descent or non-descent, will apply for Jamaican citizenship. This is something we are mindful of, even as we continue to build out the social support systems and provide investment opportunities for all our citizens,” he said.
Dr. Aung Thu Kha, who obtained his citizenship through naturalisation, responded on behalf of the new citizens, expressing profound gratitude for the opportunity to become part of the Jamaican family.
Jamaican citizenship can be acquired through several avenues, including marriage, registration (for Commonwealth citizens), naturalisation (for non-Commonwealth citizens), descent, citizenship in cases of doubt (for individuals whose birth was not registered), and restoration (for those who previously renounced their Jamaican citizenship).
