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JAM | Mar 28, 2023

Over 20 new Jamaican citizens sworn-in

/ Our Today

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Chief Executive Officer, Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Andrew Wynter (right), presents newly sworn-in Jamaican citizen, Lystra Thames, with a certificate formalising her status, during the agency’s citizenship swearing in ceremony held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Monday (March 27).  (Photo: JIS)

A total of twenty-four persons have been granted Jamaican citizenship by the Government.

They were presented with documents formalising their status by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), during a swearing-in ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St Andrew, yesterday (March 27).

Welcoming the 24 new Jamaican citizens, chief executive officer (CEO) of PICA, Andrew Wynter, encouraged them to play their part in the advancement of the country.

“There are many Jamaicans who are involved in many fields of (study) that advance the welfare of the whole human race,” he said.

Chairman at the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Nesta-Claire Hunter (centre), presents newly sworn-in Jamaican citizen, Ayesha Zulfigar, with a certificate formalising her status, during the agency’s citizenship swearing in ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Monday (March 27).  At right is Chief Executive Officer, PICA, Andrew Wynter. (Photo: JIS)

“We are happy that you have joined us in this journey to help to ensure that you play your part. Becoming a citizen of Jamaica opens opportunity for you, your children and your grandchildren, who will continue to serve and help this country to grow,” Wynter added.

He said the ceremony is a testimony of the country’s motto – “Out of Many, One People”.

Meanwhile, Wynter noted the agency will continue to implement strategies to boost its modernisation programmes.

“Jamaica will be transitioning to e-passports, and as such, you are a part of this evolution. This agency will continue to help to place Jamaica at the forefront of technology and we know with you, our newly minted citizens here to assist us, we will continue to go from best in class to becoming a world-class country,” he noted.

Chief Executive Officer, Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Andrew Wynter (right), presents newly sworn-in Jamaican citizen, Luis Bonifacio, with a certificate formalising his status, during the agency’s citizenship swearing-in ceremony held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Monday (March 27). Photo: Contributed.

Responding on behalf of the recipients, Lystra Thames said, “We will work hard to make positive contributions to the socio-economic and political development of our beloved country Jamaica.”

Jamaican citizenship is granted by virtue of marriage, registration (for Commonwealth citizens, naturalisation (for non-Commonwealth citizens), by descent, citizenship in cases of doubt (for persons whose birth was not registered), and restoration (for persons who had previously renounced their Jamaican citizenship).

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