Foreign Affairs Miniter Kamina Johnson Smith has welcomed an executive order by President Joe Biden allowing certain undocumented spouses and children of American citizens to apply for permanent residency without leaving the United States.

This announcement was made on Tuesday (June 18) by the Biden administration, providing deportation protection for thousands currently residing in the US, including Jamaicans.

To qualify for the programme, these individuals must live in the US for at least 10 years and be legally married to an American citizen. 

“We think it is an entirely positive development for our community overseas. It is specifically for spouses who entered for more than 10 years, meaning they have been residents of the US for more than 10 years, and who may not have entered legally but have married, because the law actually said before that they would have to go back home in order to regularize and then apply to come back, which would mean separation from family, having children, etc,” the minister explained at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House today.

“Now what they can do is remain there within a process to regularise themselves, so we think that it is a step that is a positive reflection of the recognition of the immigrant community to the growth and development and the social cohesion of the United States, which is what we always say: When we consider migration, we don’t only think about illegal migration or think about persons being a burden on society, but we think about how it is that even as us Jamaicans, specifically how we grow and contribute to the growth of other countries when we migrate,” Johnson Smith said.

She added that this decision by the US government will positively impact Jamaican families overseas.

“We encourage Jamaicans who may be listening overseas to get guidance from attorneys as to their eligibility before they engage in the process so that they can ensure that when they do, there is a positive result. You may think that if you have been in a regular situation, you shouldn’t engage, but we encourage you to get advice. Get good legitimate advice, not somebody on the corner who says, Hey, say, know, say, but get the proper advice,” noted the minister.

It is worth the investment, and you can call the consulate or the mission to get a recommendation for an attorney because we sometimes have people in the community who are willing to give that advice and they are very well informed, so I want to encourage you to reach out and find out about this new rule that will allow that if you entered the county illegally more than 10 years ago and you have married a US citizen, whether you are eligible now to regularise yourself and get your citizenship,” she added.

The application process to become regularised will open at the end of summer 2024.