A noticeable decrease has been observed in the number of Jamaicans opting for the Mexico route to unlawfully gain entry into the United States, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith.
She was speaking on the ‘Good Morning Minister’ program on Love 101-FM on Wednesday.
The consequences of illegal crossings
Johnson Smith shared that policy shifts in the U.S. play a pivotal role in this trend.
“I understand that the numbers are down. The United States has changed its policy… they have a thing that if you cross the border illegally and you are identified and deported, you are banned from even applying for a regular tourist visa for five years,” Johnson Smith said.
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A false sense of outsmarting the system
Despite these policies, she noted that some people believe they can outwit the system.
However, she said that security mechanisms are becoming increasingly sensitive and data sharing among nations has intensified.
“We know that there are people being turned back from Panama as well. Remember Panama is how most people get to Mexico. So sometimes they are turned back from Panama before they get to Mexico,” Johnson Smith said.
“Maybe you had an old conviction, and you don’t even remember about it in the US, and you are going to Panama. But the US and Panama now share a lot of information, so it’s going to flag you in Panama,” she continued.
Concerns beyond illegal travel
Johnson Smith further said that engagements are ongoing with Panama and Mexico on the border matters as the stringent measures appear to be affecting even legitimate travelers, a development that is causing concern for the Jamaican government.
Implications for Jamaica’s international profile
Johnson Smith further highlighted that when Jamaicans enter another nation unlawfully, it does not just impact the individual, but has broader repercussions for the country.
According to the Minister, these acts shift the perception of Jamaican travelers internationally, complicating the efforts to lobby for visa facilitation.
