Illegals welcome - Montague opens arms to undocumented Jamaicans in US, threatens to imprison rogues
Published:Wednesday | February 22, 2017 | 12:00 AMJason Cross
Lawless Jamaicans living in the United States (US) are being warned by National Security Minister Robert Montague that they will be sent to prison upon their return if they disrupt the peace on the island. At the same time, he has rolled out the welcome mat for all undocumented Jamaican immigrants in the US who could very well be deported as a result of President Donald Trump's new immigration order.
The minister was speaking at the US Embassy's handover of 200 patrol bicycles and two training simulators for defensive driving as well as firearms to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) at the National Police College of Jamaica in Twickenham Park, St Catherine, yesterday.
"We want to remind those who want to come back home and wish to break the law that the JCF does monitor some of you, and if you step across the line, the department of correctional services will welcome you," Montague stressed.
Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to remove millions of undocumented immigrants from the US, which could see an unknown number of the approximately 67,000 undocumented Jamaicans living in the US returning home.
OBEY THE LAW
Montague urged those living overseas to obey the laws of the land in which they reside.
"I just want every Jamaican to be assured, those living here and those living abroad, that Jamaica is your abiding city and there is always a place for you in this country. We urge you if you live overseas, you are to obey the laws of the land you call home, but remember, if you have to come back, we will welcome you," he said.
Montague also announced that two coastline patrol ships had been procured and would go into operation soon, especially as the country braces for the possible impact of mass deportation. He hinted that Prime Minister Andrew Holness would soon be implementing a programme to treat with unattached youth, who, he said, are the main sources of recruitment for gangs.
"Maybe, just maybe, we are going to see an increase in Jamaicans coming here, and we have to make sure that all are safe. The Government has moved to purchase two ships, which are currently in Port Royal. We are fortunate that God has been good to us and we were able to trade in our three old ships, and paying the difference, and very shortly, we will be commissioning the two ships to help secure our borders," the security minister declared.