Kristen Gyles | Waking up from the American dream

How many Jamaicans still can’t wake up from the American dream they have been chasing? Despite every effort of the United States (US) government to make it clear that certain classes of immigrants are not particularly welcome, many Jamaicans continue to forage for any opportunity they can find to immigrate to the United States. Is it the McDonalds? Or the Chick-fil-A? The American dream certainly has a strong pull.

Yes, many Jamaicans are desperate to immigrate to the US because life in Jamaica has not necessarily been kind to them. And yes, opportunities exist within the States that are not available to the average Jamaican living in Jamaica. Some people are also influenced to make the move to the US simply because they want to reside with family members who have already immigrated.

But it really is strange that the interest in permanent residence in the US is still so high when the current US government has made it clear that they prefer immigrants from Norway and Denmark and not ones from African nations, Haiti and other so-called ‘sh*t_ole’ countries.

The most recent nudge for Jamaicans to start dreaming of residence outside the States was the US State Department’s announcement on Wednesday that starting January 21 the processing of US immigrant visas will be put on an indefinite pause for applicants from 75 countries. Jamaica happens to be one of the lucky 75. The State Department indicated via social media that it will “pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates”.

Of note, is that despite several Caribbean nations being affected by the suspension, neither Trinidad and Tobago nor Guyana, which have recently positioned themselves as US allies, have been included on the immigrant visa crackdown list.

FORGET ABOUT MIGRATION

What the suspension really means is that Jamaicans and all other foreign nationals affected, can forget about migration to the US, for the time being. While there has been no pause on the processing of non-immigrant visas such as business visitor visas, student visas and visas allowing tourist visits, the announcement is yet another strong indication that the US government is adopting a general anti-immigration stance.

In recent times, US immigration policy has become extremely restrictive, and particularly so towards certain countries. Since Donald Trump’s return to office, more than 100,000 visas have been revoked and over 600,000 people have been deported. Trump’s administration has also transformed the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is now often compared to the Gestapo of Nazi Germany, since it disproportionately targets immigrants from specific racial backgrounds and since masked officers have often been seen emerging from unmarked vans during operations only to snatch people from off the streets.

One might argue that governments come and go and that they won’t allow one US president to deter them from pursuing their dream of planting themselves in American soil. Consider this: The US president did not elect himself. The US president, who was duly elected by the American people to do exactly what he is doing, has the full support of a vast number of Americans. It is easy to demonise Trump for what seems like over-the-top immigration policies, but it is foolhardy to see him as anything, but a representation of America, as it stands.

HEAVILY TARGETED

The US government is free to take whatever approach it chooses where its immigration policies are concerned. However, it is unfortunate that its position on immigration matters seems heavily targeted against people of certain ethnicities and classes. Frankly, the suspension of immigrant visa processing is an indication that whether legal or illegal, the US government simply does not want to accommodate immigrants from certain countries.

On the other hand, leaders from many other developed nations have no significant objection to the immigration of Jamaicans. If Jamaicans must leave for greener pastures, why not seek a better life in these countries? What does the US have that other countries don’t?

The US has long held a position of prestige within the global community, partly because of the economic opportunities it provides its residents. But these economic opportunities are available in several other jurisdictions. Now with such a significant thrust to reduce the avenues for immigration both legally and illegally, the US may become less attractive as a place of choice. Since Trump’s return to office, it is estimated that more than two and a half million people have voluntarily left the US. But, Jamaicans are built different. While others are trying to get out, we have certainly been trying to get in.

Jamaicans are a resilient people. No matter how much rejection we face from the US, it seems we only become more resolved to fight for a place in America, only to then lament what is perceived as systemic racial biases and discrimination, of course. One day, someone will uncover what it really is about the US that has such a chokehold on the Caribbean people. Until then, what about life in Canada? The UK? Australia? South Africa? Germany? Or better yet… our own country?

Kristen Gyles is a free-thinking public affairs opinionator. Send feedback to kristengyles@gmail.com and columns@gleanerjm.com.