PICA: Biometric data ‘link’ deportee claiming to be American to Jamaican identity
Published:Tuesday | March 4, 2025 | 12:09 AM
The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) has sought to clear the air on the identity of a man deported to Jamaica from the United States (US) last week, who has claimed he is American.
The agency was responding to a report in The Sunday Gleaner this week, in which the man identified himself as Trevor Anthony Grant and said he was born in Camden, New Jersey. The deportee said he was arrested two years ago by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who accused him of being a Jamaican named Devon Nicely.
According to PICA, in light of concerns raised in the public domain, the agency wished to provide clarification of the process of confirming the identities of individuals to be deported to Jamaica, and the particular circumstances around the case in question.
“There are established protocols between Jamaica and the United States that guide the deportation of Jamaican nationals,” PICA said.
“These protocols include the presentation of documentary evidence by the United States authorities to Jamaican authorities of the nationality and identity of individuals to be deported. PICA collaborates with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and other key stakeholders to verify the nationality and identity of the individuals.”
The agency added: “In the instant case, the US authorities provided PICA with documentary evidence, including biometric information. PICA conducted investigations to verify the authenticity of the Jamaican birth certificate and other information related to Devon Nicely. This biometric information including fingerprints, linked the individual who arrived on the flight as Jamaican national Devon Nicely.
“On arrival in Jamaica on February 27, 2025, the individual asserted that he was not Devon Nicely. He was invited to visit PICA with supporting documentation to substantiate this assertion. On February 28, 2025, he communicated with PICA’s Investigation and Surveillance Unit and indicated that he would visit the office on Monday, March 3, 2025, with the necessary documents.”
PICA did not, however, indicate whether the man came in to PICA and, if so, what had been determined at the end of his visit.
In the meantime, PICA said the agency remains committed to upholding the integrity of Jamaica’s immigration and citizenship processes and will continue to support individuals seeking to clarify their nationality.