Jamaica tops deportation lists of Caribbean nationals to be deported
Jamaica has topped the list of Caribbean nations with the highest number of deportation orders, as 5,120 Jamaican nationals now face final removal from the United States. This figure surpasses all other Caribbean nations, with Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana trailing behind at 1,197 and 1,236 individuals, respectively.
This alarming revelation, based on recently released US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data has left many Jamaican immigrants in a state of uncertainty. The latest ICE report, released in late 2024, highlights a surge in removal orders affecting Caribbean nationals, particularly from English-speaking countries. With over 1.4 million noncitizens currently on ICE’s non-detained docket, many immigrants fear that their time in the US is running out.
This group includes Dianne White (name changed for privacy), a newly married and pregnant Jamaican woman currently residing in the Republican-led state of Florida. For White, the thought of deportation is devastating, as it threatens to dismantle the life she has begun to build with her American husband and their unborn child. White has called the US home for several years. She finds the possibility of being sent back to Jamaica overwhelming, “I started my life here in 2022, I’m married, I’m about to have a baby. The thought of leaving everything behind and going back with nothing—it’s terrifying”, she said. Despite being legally married to a US citizen, White remains uncertain about her fate. “I know marriage is supposed to help with getting legal status, but with all the changes in immigration policies, I don’t know what to expect,” she explained.
Under US immigration law, marriage to an American citizen can provide a pathway to legal residency, but the process is often lengthy and complicated. White and her husband have begun gathering the necessary paperwork, but recent policy shifts and strict enforcement measures have made them nervous. “We want to do everything right, but the system is so unpredictable. One moment, it seems like we have a clear path, and the next, we hear about people in similar situations still being deported,” White said.
Her concerns are not unfounded. Under the Trump-era immigration policies, which have seen continued enforcement, many immigrants—even those married to US.citizens—have faced deportation due to bureaucratic hurdles, delayed processing times, or minor technicalities.
While awaiting legal status, White faces daily struggles, including limited access to healthcare, job insecurity, and the looming fear of ICE raids. Being pregnant only adds to her stress. “I should be focusing on my baby, on preparing for this new chapter of my life, but instead, I’m constantly looking over my shoulder,” she admitted. “Even when I attend my doctor’s appointments I’m just really worried that maybe these people who I trust will be the ones who turn me in. I’m even more worried about the birthing process,” she said.
The uncertainty of her situation has also placed a strain on her marriage. “My husband is supportive, but this is hard on both of us. He’s worried about losing me, about raising our child alone if I’m forced to leave,” she shared. As White awaits a decision on her status, she remains hopeful but realistic. “All I can do is pray and keep fighting for my place here. I want my child to be born in a stable home, with both parents present. That’s all I’m asking for”.
