NEW YORK — The United States Department of State has implemented a significant pause on immigration applications originating from 75 countries, a move that includes Jamaica and multiple Caribbean neighbors. Announced on Wednesday, this policy shift is framed by the Trump Administration as a measure to curb systemic exploitation and protect national resources from foreign nationals deemed likely to require public assistance.
The suspension, affecting nations such as Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, will remain in effect indefinitely while processing procedures undergo a comprehensive reassessment. The State Department has not provided a timeline for the completion of this review, leaving thousands of applicants in a state of uncertainty.
Diaspora leaders and legal experts expressed little surprise at the development. Florida-based immigration attorney Wayne Golding characterized the move as a potential ‘revamp of the entire system’ for those seeking permanent residency, commonly known as a Green Card. He cautioned applicants to anticipate ‘a significant waiting period’ and advised against making drastic life changes, such as selling property or discontinuing education, while awaiting further updates.
The policy realignment underscores a clear objective: to prioritize immigrants who can demonstrably contribute to the nation’s growth. This shift is poised to profoundly impact family-based immigration, a primary pathway for Jamaicans. Data from the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) highlights the US as the foremost destination for Jamaican migrants, with 16,482 individuals relocating in 2022—a 23.4% increase from the previous year.
Prominent diaspora advocates, including Dr. Rupert Francis and Irwine Clare Sr., acknowledged the administration’s prerogative to set immigration policy but voiced concerns over the disruption to existing applications and the potential for future financial impositions, such as visa bonds similar to those already required for applicants from Haiti, Dominica, Cuba, and Antigua and Barbuda.
In an official response, Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith confirmed the pause but clarified its scope, noting it applies solely to immigrant visas for permanent residency and does not affect tourist, student, business, or seasonal work visas, which continue to be processed normally. She directed concerned citizens to seek updates through established embassy channels.