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The re-election of President Donald Trump has precipitated a significant shift in daily behaviors and social patterns among Jamaican immigrants across the United States. Following his January 2025 inauguration after defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, the administration has intensified border control measures and immigration enforcement, creating an environment of heightened anxiety within immigrant communities.

Immigration advocates report profound behavioral adaptations among Jamaicans regardless of legal status. Many now avoid public gatherings, religious services, and cultural events due to fears of encountering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Some residents have adopted the practice of carrying passports during routine activities, while others have significantly reduced participation in traditional social activities, including nighttime gatherings and cultural celebrations.

Irwine Clare of Caribbean Immigrant Services in Queens described a new reality where ICE vehicles deliberately patrol areas with high Jamaican concentration, including White Plains Road, creating an atmosphere of intimidation. This psychological impact has extended to travel patterns, with many Jamaican immigrants avoiding international travel due to concerns about re-entry challenges under expanded enforcement protocols.

The Laken Riley Act, passed shortly after Trump’s inauguration, has substantially broadened detention criteria for non-citizens to include misdemeanor offenses such as shoplifting and burglary. This legislative change has created additional vulnerabilities for green card holders and those with pending citizenship applications.

Economic repercussions are emerging within immigrant-dominated sectors, particularly New York’s food and restaurant industries. Business owners report increased caution about hiring practices, while workers experience heightened anxiety about informal employment arrangements. Community organizations have even suspended public forums about status regularization due to safety concerns, with advocates describing such gatherings as potentially leading ‘lambs to the slaughter.’

Despite these challenges, community leaders emphasize adaptation rather than confrontation. Dr. Rupert Francis, chairman of the Jamaica Diaspora Crime Intervention and Prevention Task Force, advocates for collaboration with government institutions while acknowledging the need to balance compliance with advocacy for more humane policies. The current climate represents a fundamental transformation in how immigrant communities navigate daily life under strengthened enforcement regimes.

The Jamaican Government has announced a substantial investment of $100 million JMD to address critical infrastructure needs along the vital roadway connecting Anchovy in St. James to Shettlewood in Hanover. This initiative, operating under the GO Road Rehabilitation Programme, will specifically prioritize the Mount Carey to Montpelier corridor as part of a broader strategy to enhance regional connectivity and stimulate economic activity across western Jamaica.

Scheduled to commence in the third week of January 2024, the rehabilitation work will follow the completion of pipe-laying activities conducted by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) for the Shettlewood to Anchovy Pipeline Project. This carefully coordinated timeline between the National Works Agency (NWA) and JSIF aims to maximize efficiency, prevent costly rework, and ensure optimal use of public funds.

The comprehensive repairs will target sections severely compromised by surface deterioration, including potholes, edge breaks, and areas damaged by both natural wear and recent excavation activities. Upon completion, the project is expected to deliver significantly improved road safety standards and smoother driving conditions for thousands of daily users, including local residents, public transportation operators, commercial enterprises, and agricultural transporters.

Robert Nesta Morgan, Minister with responsibility for Works in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, emphasized the strategic importance of this infrastructure investment. He noted that the corridor serves as a crucial economic link between Savanna-la-Mar in Westmoreland and Montego Bay in St. James, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services across the western region.

This targeted rehabilitation effort forms part of the expanded GO Road Rehabilitation Programme, which now totals $1.7 billion JMD and began with initial works in Kingston and St. Andrew in December. The government’s approach demonstrates a commitment to practical infrastructure improvements through coordinated planning and execution, ensuring that rehabilitation work meets required standards and delivers lasting benefits to communities.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In an innovative approach to literacy advocacy, the Di Cawna Library organization has inaugurated its seventh community facility in Cheshire Village, marking a significant expansion of its unique program that converts discarded refrigerators into functional bookcases. The newly established Di AMO Cawna Library, officially opened on December 11, 2025, features inclusive design elements ensuring accessibility for both able-bodied and differently-abled community members.

The project represents a collaborative effort between international and local supporters, including Friends of Annette Martin Ozaltin (AMO) and the American International School of Kingston (AISK) community. Their combined contributions have transformed repurposed appliances into vibrant educational hubs integrated within neighborhood settings.

Founded on the principle that literacy constitutes a fundamental right rather than a privilege, the initiative directly brings literature to communities by creatively converting once-discarded items into spaces fostering imagination, learning, and opportunity. During the opening ceremony, founder Rachael McDonald emphasized the organization’s core philosophy: ‘Di Cawna Library emerged from the conviction that books must be universally accessible, and that every individual—regardless of age—deserves the chance to read, dream, and develop personally.’

The launch event gathered diverse stakeholders including community residents, parents, students, educators, authors, and national and multilateral partners. Notably, Minister of Finance and the Public Service Fayval Williams delivered formal remarks and received recognition as the first governmental minister to publicly endorse the Di Cawna Library initiative approximately three years prior. Minister Williams commended the project and expressed aspirations for its replication across additional Jamaican communities.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant push toward digital inclusion, Jamaica’s Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr has publicly praised elderly citizens engaging with the government’s GetConnected Digital Literacy Programme. During an impromptu visit to the National Council for Senior Citizens on West Kings House Road, the minister witnessed Cohort 3 of the initiative in progress, where 33 seniors are currently mastering essential digital competencies.

Minister Charles Jr emphasized that the program dismantles the notion that senior citizens are merely observers of technological progress. “Every time I see this programme in action, it sends a powerful message — our senior citizens are not on the sidelines of development; they are active participants in Jamaica’s future,” he stated.

The comprehensive curriculum is designed to foster active and healthy aging by equipping participants with practical skills. These include operating computers and mobile devices, maintaining social connections through digital platforms, accessing online services, and implementing crucial safety measures in cyber environments. The minister highlighted that beyond reducing social isolation, these skills enhance personal independence and can potentially lead to new economic opportunities.

Adding international credibility to the initiative, the program utilizes globally recognized training materials and offers participants the chance to obtain certification from City & Guilds. This aspect reinforces that age presents no barrier to achieving technological proficiency.

With Safer Internet Day approaching in February, Minister Charles Jr also stressed the inseparable link between digital access and cybersecurity awareness, particularly for vulnerable demographics. “Digital empowerment must go hand in hand with digital protection. Confidence, safety, and responsible online engagement are just as important as access,” he remarked.

The minister extended an invitation to all eligible senior citizens across Jamaica to enroll in future sessions by contacting the National Council for Senior Citizens, reaffirming the government’s dedication to creating inclusive opportunities throughout all stages of life.

The Jamaican educational community is mourning the passing of distinguished educator Dottlyn Norma Dawes, whose remarkable 36-year career left an indelible mark on Carron Hall High School in St. Mary. The former principal, who dedicated her professional life to the institution from 1977 until her retirement in 2013, passed away on January 3, 2026, following an extended period of illness.

Current principal Carlinton Johnson announced the loss through an emotional tribute on the school’s official Facebook platform, commemorating Dawes’ extraordinary contributions to educational development in western St. Mary. During her transformative eighteen-year leadership tenure from 1995 to 2013, Dawes engineered the institution’s evolution from the formerly designated Carron Hall Vocational School—an all-girls establishment—into a progressive co-educational facility that expanded opportunities for countless students.

Beyond her administrative accomplishments, Dawes received national recognition as a 2002 finalist for the prestigious Lasco/Jamaica Teachers’ Association Teacher of the Year Award, highlighting her exceptional pedagogical approach and dedication to student development. Her community engagement extended into the judicial sphere through her service as a St. Mary justice of the peace, demonstrating her multifaceted commitment to social advancement.

The digital memorial space has become flooded with heartfelt remembrances from former students and colleagues, painting a portrait of an educator who possessed extraordinary belief in her pupils’ potential. Testimonials consistently highlight her unique ability to recognize and nurture talent in young learners, with many attributing their subsequent professional and personal achievements to her inspirational guidance and unwavering support. The overwhelming response underscores the profound personal connections she fostered throughout her decades of educational service, establishing a legacy that continues to resonate across generations of Jamaican students.

The Jamaican government has formally renewed its commitment to supporting Maroon communities during the 288th anniversary commemoration of the pivotal 1738 Treaty between Leeward Maroons and British forces. Prime Minister Andrew Holness delivered a significant address in Accompong Town, St. Elizabeth, emphasizing the state’s obligation to provide protection and resources to these historic communities.

Speaking during Tuesday’s ceremony that also honored the birthday of Chief Kojo, Holness reframed the Maroon narrative beyond slavery to highlight their extraordinary achievement of forcing British authorities to sign a treaty. ‘When people hear about Jamaica and they hear about the Maroons, they see a side of us that is not just about enslavement. It is also about resistance,’ Holness stated, noting Jamaica’s unique position among former colonies.

The Prime Minister acknowledged historical underinvestment in Maroon regions while assuring corrective measures are underway. ‘The Government of Jamaica supports the Maroon communities. We see you as an invaluable asset,’ he affirmed, praising the community leadership as essential to national development.

Culture Minister Olivia Grange highlighted the cultural resilience and unity demonstrated by Maroon communities, particularly their recovery from Hurricane Melissa’s impact in late October. ‘I see the plants, the trees are getting green again, so it means that we will be getting stronger and we will rebuild,’ Grange observed, referencing Jamaica’s national motto ‘Out of Many, One People’ to emphasize national solidarity.

The commemorative event saw participation from multiple government officials including Dr. Andrew Wheatley (Science and Technology), Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon (Education), and Rhoda Moy Crawford (State Minister for Education), demonstrating cross-governmental support for preserving Jamaica’s Maroon heritage.