Embassy hosts inaugural citizenship ceremony

WASHINGTON, DC:

The Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C. on Friday, March 27 hosted its inaugural Citizenship Ceremony, formally recognising 27 Jamaican nationals who were either newly naturalised or formalising their citizenship by descent.

The historic ceremony, held at the Embassy, brought together new and existing citizens alongside invited guests for an evening of official recognition, ministerial addresses, and reaffirmation of national identity. Each recipient received an official letter of recognition from Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, along with a copy of the programme, marking their formal affirmation of Jamaican citizenship.

Ambassador Anderson, who also serves as Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), described the occasion as a defining milestone in the Embassy’s diaspora engagement efforts.

“This is a historic moment – one that marks both a beginning and a sense of belonging,” Ambassador Anderson told the gathering. “Welcome to the family.” He noted that the ceremony, the first of its kind at the Washington Mission, will become a recurring feature on the Embassy’s calendar. “Welcome to the front row of history,” he added. “This is by no means the last.”

The ceremony had initially been scheduled for late 2025 but was postponed following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. Ambassador Anderson said the Mission remained committed to proceeding with the event despite the setback. “We were not going to be deterred. This is very important, and we are resilient,” he said.

Ministerial remarks were delivered via video messages. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang, addressed the recipients with remarks centred on constitutional responsibility and national duty.

“Citizenship is not granted lightly. It reflects both eligibility and trust,” Dr. Chang said. “With citizenship comes full participation in national life. It means engaging responsibly, contributing constructively, and upholding the standards that sustain a secure and orderly society. Your actions, individually and collectively, will help reinforce the values upon which this nation stands.”

Dr. Chang also issued a direct charge to diaspora members among the new citizens, emphasising their continued connection to Jamaica regardless of residence. “Whether you reside in Jamaica or across the diaspora, you now carry the identity and responsibility of being Jamaican. You are expected to act with integrity, respect our institutions, and contribute, in whatever way you can, to national development and cohesion,” he said.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade with responsibility for Diaspora Affairs, Alando Terrelonge, also addressed the ceremony via video, congratulating the recipients and highlighting the growing global interest in Jamaican citizenship.

“Your decision to become Jamaican is both significant and symbolic,” Minister Terrelonge said. “It speaks to a growing global appreciation for Jamaica not only as a place of culture and beauty, but as a nation with which people wish to build lasting ties and contribute meaningfully to its future.”

He pointed to the steady rise in applications for citizenship by descent as evidence of strengthening generational ties within the diaspora. “We are witnessing increased applications from second-, third-, and even fourth-generation Jamaicans who continue to claim and celebrate their heritage,” he said.

That trend is reflected in recent data. Ambassador Anderson reported that in 2025, citizenship applications from Jamaicans across the United States reached 3,000 – a 25 per cent increase over the previous year – underscoring a growing recognition of the value of maintaining formal ties to the homeland.

Calling on the newest citizens to translate belonging into action, Ambassador Anderson emphasised the role of the diaspora in Jamaica’s development. “Citizenship gives you a stake in the journey,” he said. “It enables contribution through investment, knowledge transfer, mentorship, and professional collaboration.”

He noted that Jamaica’s diaspora – active in healthcare, technology, education, finance, and the creative industries – remains one of the country’s most valuable strategic assets. “Wherever you go, carry Jamaica with you: its values, its spirit, and its sense of possibility,” he said.

The Embassy confirmed that the Citizenship Ceremony will become a regular feature of its annual programme, with plans under way to expand the initiative to other regions of the United States, including the West Coast. The effort forms part of the Government of Jamaica’s broader strategy to deepen structured engagement with its diaspora, strengthen national identity across generations, and encourage greater participation in Jamaica’s national development.