Jamaican community questions handling of 11 deportations from Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda: Members of the Jamaican community are questioning the handling of the deportation of 11 Jamaican nationals from Antigua and Barbuda, raising concerns about prior notification, access to legal representatives and the opportunity to collect personal belongings.

The deportations reportedly took place on Saturday evening, October 10, following immigration and legal violations, including alleged breaches of permitted periods of stay. The specific grounds for each person's deportation have not been independently established in the information available.

Some of them were even returning back to their communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa. Concerns have arisen over the manner in which the deportees were deported. A member of the concerned community told the media that the deportation is not always the issue, but the manner in which the deportation is conducted.

Sources say that some of the Jamaicans were removed from His Majesty’s prison after 6 pm on Saturday, October 10 and directly shifted to the plane ready for deportation. They were not even allowed to communicate with their lawyers and family members. No proper explanation was also given for their deportation. Individuals should have been at least informed prior so that their families were ready to receive them.

Sources also say that the Jamaicans were not even given time to collect their personal belongings. How will they manage when they reach their homes? Jamaicans are already having a tough time due to Hurricane Melissa. Now the respective families will face additional burden to receive the deported Jamaicans. The aircraft carrying Jamaicans circled the Norman Manley International Airport for half an hour before dropping the Jamaicans. The reason for the delay is still unknown. Official explanation from the authorities is still awaited. The authorities are yet to clarify as to what procedures they followed for deportation.

Jamaicans make up one of the largest communities in Antigua and Barbuda, constituting about 6% to 15% of the total population. Their population is expected to be 12,000 to 14,000. They account for one of the largest immigrant groups along with Guyanese nationals. They live in different social groups, organize cultural events like family fundays and cultural gatherings. They account for approximately 15% of Antigua and Barbuda’s prison population.