Sometimes timing is everything.
On 9 August members of Cabinet met and
discussed relaxing the visa requirements on Jamaicans who wish to come to our
shores for business, to see family members and just to relax.
They were trying to undo the strict
requirements placed on Jamaican nationals in 2005 following widespread
destruction in the Cayman Islands from Hurricane Ivan in September 2004.
At the time many people were coming over
from Jamaica to help with our rebuilding effort.
The problem was, though, we simply did not
have the immigration administration infrastructure to handle the influx of
people. There was also, unfortunately, an uptick in crime in 2005.
The ruling government of the day – the
People’s Progressive Movement – did what it thought was necessary to protect
our shores by introducing a new visa system for people coming from countries
considered to be high risk.
When Cabinet members met last month to
discuss easing the restrictions in an effort to facilitate business between the
two countries, there was no way they could have known that a spate of killings
would begin in September and, in the end, take the lives of five people.
No one has publicly blamed Jamaica
nationals on the crimes and so far there has been no evidence presented – again
to the public – to suggest such.
But the timing for the visa issue couldn’t
have been worse. We believe Governor Duncan Taylor’s decision to keep the visa
requirements was a direct result of the fear felt by most in the Cayman Islands
following the shootings and calls for him to take action.
Jamaica and the Cayman Islands have a long,
close relationship.
Until 1962 the Cayman Islands was a
protectorate of Jamaica and considered part of Westmoreland.
Jamaicans have contributed a lot to our
society and the majority of them are decent, hard-working and law-abiding
citizens.
As long as Jamaicans continue to go through
the correct screening procedures, there is no reason why they cannot continue
to contribute to our society.
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Dont let the facts get in the way of a convenient opinion. You report that the Cabinet meeting was in early August and the ghastly shootings began more than a month later. It seems very likely that the Governor’s decision had already been made at that point and neither your article nor your editorial suggests otherwise. It is indeed sad that our innocent neighbours have to suffer for the guilty minority and it would be wonderful to not have a visa requirement but the governor as well as Cabinet should rely on the expert advice of the experienced authorities in deciding where to strike the appropriate balance. The facts suggest that to be the case rather than the weight of public fear and outrage following the shootings as you suggest.
Wayne
Well said.
I honestly don’t think that one thing has anything at all to do with the other.
The RCIPS’s record of detection, apprehension and arrest and charging of the criminal element who have carried out armed robberies since the Bank of Butterfield heist is so poor that there is absolutely no records or statistics on who, and what national origin, the perpretrators of these crimes are.
This visa policy for Jamaican visitors has been in plave for 5 or 6 years now and mirrors Britain’s similar policy.
While a bit inconveniencing, I can’t see what all the fuss is about, really.
The USA has a policy now in place that removes the waiver privilege for British citizens visiting the USA and now or very soon from now, ALL British citizens visiting the USA, including Caymanians, will need US visas.
Are the USA racists for changing their immigration laws or is it an international trend of heightened security measures accross the globe ?
Your guess is as good as mine.