In New York, immigration attorneys are issuing urgent warnings to Jamaicans eligible for U.S. citizenship about the severe repercussions of incarceration, even for minor offenses. This caution was a central theme at a recent forum organized by the Ex-Correctional Officers Association of Jamaica and the North Bronx Seventh-day Adventist Church. The event aimed to raise awareness about the consequences of imprisonment, particularly for young people, as the Trump Administration intensifies its crackdown on illegal immigration. Immigration attorney Shane R. Brown highlighted that the U.S. has the world’s largest incarcerated population, with 1.9 million people behind bars. New York alone has an average daily prison population of over 16,000, with systemic issues like mandatory sentencing laws and racial disparities contributing to the high numbers. Brown emphasized that African American and Hispanic individuals are disproportionately represented in the prison system. Maurice Maitland, another immigration attorney, warned that even minor offenses such as traffic violations, disorderly conduct, or marijuana use—legal in some states but not federally—can lead to deportation. Social worker Carmeta Albarus pointed out that inadequate parental supervision often leaves Jamaican youth vulnerable to the criminal justice system. She noted a recent surge in deportations, with monthly flights doubling. Immigration attorney Winston Tucker urged eligible Green Card holders to apply for citizenship promptly, citing increasing complexity in the process. He also highlighted the benefits of citizenship, including voting rights. Ronnie Hammick, president of the Ex-Correctional Officers Association, stressed the need for community efforts to prevent incarceration, emphasizing its emotional and financial toll.
‘Even the simplest infraction’ could bring jail time in the US, immigration attorneys warn
