Dear Editor,
How will President Trump’s new immigration policy impact Guyana? Can the impact be ameliorated under a special relationship status between Guyana and USA? Should Guyana consider such a relationship or partnership?
After an Afghan immigrant shot two national guard soldiers, one fatally, in Washington, President Trump announced on the evening of Thanksgiving that he will pause (also used the word stopped) migration from ‘Third World Countries’ and remove many migrants already in USA including those with green cards and citizenship if they had criminal record or were found to have lied when obtaining a visa and or naturalisation.
The administration also plans to cancel many student and visitors’ visas, especially of left wingers and those who harbour anti-American sentiments. The visas of several Guyanese known to be involved in criminal activities were revoked while others who committed crimes and known to American authorities have been denied visas. Others known to have committed crimes, including corruption, and whose visas are not yet revoked are on a special watch list. Sources say there is a list with several prominent individuals on it.
President Trump stated that he aims to tighten immigration policy removing migrants from third world or denying their entrance. He said stopping migration from third world will “enable the system to fully recover”, meaning immigration. He seeks selective migration of those who bring investment and or technical skills. Tens of thousands of illegal migrants have been rounded up in detention camps or already deported since Trump assumed office last January. The President and his Republican supporters have taken a hard line against migration from third world. Many Guyanese, primarily Indians, voted for Trump; about half Indo Guyanese and Indo Caribbeans as well as Indian Americans voted for Trump; they are not supportive of the President’s immigration policy as some of them could be subjected to deportation.
Violence perpetrated by immigrants in USA have only served to harden Republican position against (non-White third world) migrants. Immigrants have been involved in a small number or percentage of crimes, perhaps one twentieth of those committed by non-migrant Americans. Few Guyanese are involved in crimes and or are in penitentiary. Most migrants are hardworking and highly valued by businesses because of work ethic and expertise. They contribute significantly to the tax coffers.
Employers cherish Guyanese workers. Many perform work or are employed in jobs that Americans refuse. Yet they are demonised and dehumanised because of their colour or ethnicity. Immigrants need to behave responsibly and continue to create a positive image. They must make themselves model citizens to be emulated or else they will draw unnecessary negative attention that will affect all migrants. It is unfair to target all migrants for the crimes committed by a small number. But that is the current reality in America that migrants, including Guyanese, face. Many Guyanese could soon be deported because they broke laws even if minor infractions. Something needs to be done to protect their stay in USA providing they are not a danger to the country.
It is not clear if the President will stop issuing visas and disallow those already with visa from coming to USA. It is also not clear if those with permanent residency visas still in Guyana will be allowed to migrate. It is not clear if the announced policy includes all third world countries because two weeks earlier, he supported migrants with technical skills and specialisation. Guyana and the Caribbean as well as Latin countries and those in Africa are considered third world. President Trump refers to many third world countries as sh…hole.
Countries with special status with USA will not be affected by the President’s proposed policy of restricting migrants unless they are a national security threat. If Guyana had special status with USA, then no Guyanese migrants would have been deported or denied entry in America. But Guyana is not in a special relationship with America like several other countries. This writer and several Guyanese in Guyana and the diaspora, in particular USA, have proposed a special relationship with America. It was proposed with the very concern of President Trump new policy that Guyanese could be deported from or denied entry into America.
That idea of a special relationship with Washington would have protected all Guyanese. That idea is still on the table among its proponents in USA and Guyana. But several communists and left wingers, including Freddie Kissoon and even a handful who remigrate from USA and Canada, are opposed to Guyana having special links with USA. They prefer special relationship with China and or Russia and or Cuba. Ironically, they want USA to protect Guyana from Venezuela but are opposed to Guyana having a relationship with USA that will allow Guyanese to enjoy special status with unlimited restrictions to enter or leave American soil or work there and although they don’t want Guyana to be linked to USA, they crave the American visa and want their families to live in USA. None of them is willing to return their visa or green card and citizenship.
Since President Trump began revoking visas of politicians from different countries, the pen of wingers have been silent; they are no longer criticising USA and they don’t write anything negative about Trump. They know the consequences. They don’t want to lose the cherished USA visa. President Irfaan and VP Jagdeo wisely have ignored the left and cementing ties with Washington. Jagdeo is a master strategist. Guyana’s future lies with USA, not China and Russia.
Visas and current status of Guyanese in USA, including those with residency and naturalisation status, are not absolutely secured. Investigation by American agents and uncovering of evidence of past crimes can result in revocation of visas, green card, and citizenship as had happened to thousands of migrants. Guyana having special status with USA will protect all Guyanese.