The Jamaican government on Wednesday warned nationals against the involvement in illegal migration as it noted a “, relatively small number” of Jamaicans pursuing unlawful migration by travelling through Mexico, Panama and Belize.
Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, told the weekly post Cabinet news conference that Jamaicans should not attempt to enter a foreign country illegally.
“I am confident that the majority of our travellers to these locations are lawful and travelling for legitimate purposes,” Johnson Smith told reporters, adding “we are very concerned that Jamaicans are taking decisions to travel in circumstances that are extremely risky and in some cases taking children with them, exposing them to dangerous situations including kidnapping, trafficking and even death.” She continued.
Minister Johnson Smith said that illegal entry affects the reputation of the Jamaican passport, despite the Government’s efforts to increase its security to better facilitate citizens who want to exercise their right of freedom of movement.
