THE MONTHLY GLEANER | JUNE 13 - JULY 13, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 2 PSYCHIC CARMELLA Reader, Advisor & Spell Worker. Expert advice on all matters and challenges of daily life…career, marriage, relationships. CALL ANYTIME..! One (1) Free question By Phone 647-809-5069 Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer THERE WILL be no official Jamaica Independence gala in New York this year. The Independence gala is usually organised by the Jamaican Consulate in New York in conjunction with nonprofit organisation, Jamaica Promise. In a statement, the consulate said it was with deep regret that it was announcing that the gala would not be held, due to competing priorities, and the difficult decision had to be made to forgo “this cherished event”. “We understand that many of you plan your calendars well in advance, and we wanted to ensure that this announcement was made with ample notice. We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding during this time,” the consulate wrote to the members of the Jamaican diaspora, which each year look forward to the event. “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for the generous support and funds raised over the past two years. Your contributions have made a significant impact in several areas,” the consulate said. “In addition to supporting these worthy causes, the gala has been a wonderful opportunity for individuals to come together, enjoy themselves, and celebrate our rich heritage and culture.” The consulate stated that it values the sense of community and joy that the gala has brought to all attendees. It said despite the cancellation of the gala, “we are excited to share that several other activities are being planned to commemorate Jamaica’s 62nd year of Independence”, and invited the Jamaica community to stay tuned for further announcements and updates on these upcoming events. “Thank you for your continued support and understanding. We look forward to celebrating with you in new and meaningful ways.” The decision by the consulate not to host an Independence gala this year has not gone over well with members of the Jamaican community. DISAPPOINTMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY Radio host and events promoter Clement ‘Ras Clem’ Hume told The Gleaner that the cancellation was not a good look. He questioned why there would be no gala in New York this year after backto-back, financially successful galas. “The gala is one of the staple events in the diaspora to celebrate Jamaica’s Independence and not having it leaves a void,” he said. Similar sentiments were echoed by former Northeast region Diaspora Council member and educator, Dr Karren Dunkley, who told The Gleaner that not having the gala would be a disappointment for the community. “This event has always been a cherished opportunity for our community to bond, celebrate our heritage, and strengthen our connections,” she said. Dunkley said the community would miss attending the Independence gala this year. “While we will deeply miss this festive occasion, we are committed to supporting the consulate to host an amazing gala in 2025,” she, however, added. Clive Williams, a former member of the committee who assisted in planning the gala, also questioned why the consulate would not be hosting the event, given the levels of support and sponsorship it traditionally received. “This is going to leave a huge void because people look forward to attending the gala as a way to celebrate Jamaica’s Independence. I am sure that the community will not be happy with this decision,” he said. Irwine Clare, who has been a member of several Independence gala planning committees, told The Gleaner that the gala would be sadly missed. “It is the social event of the year on the Jamaican community calendar and the funds raised have gone to support many charitable organisations,”he said. Clare said that, while he understood the sacrifices that go into planning the gala, it is the flagship event and has a great track record of deliverables. The Independence gala is hosted by the Jamaican Consulate in New York as the consulate is not a non-profit organisation and therefore cannot raise funds on its own. The consulate has to work in conjunction with a registered non-profit organisation for the staging of the gala to raise funds. Among the areas the consulate listed as being supported significantly by contributions raised through the Independence gala in recent years are: • Scholarships for Students: Your donations have provided numerous students with the opportunity to pursue their education and achieve their dreams. • Life-Saving Medical Care: Funds raised have supported critical medical interventions and care, saving lives and improving health outcomes for many individuals. • Community Initiatives: Your generosity has also supported various community initiatives, fostering development and improving the quality of life in our communities. Asylum-seeking immigrants, including Jamaicans, to face immediate rejection in south as US implements new policy JAMAICANS WHO travel to the United States’ southern border in attempts to secure asylum in the North American country may face immediate rejection amid a new immigration policy announced by the Biden administration. United States (US) President Joe Biden last week announced executive actions to bar migrants who cross the country’s southern border unlawfully from receiving asylum. The block becomes effective when high levels of encounters at the southern border exceed the US’ ability to deliver timely consequences, as is the case today, Biden confirmed. He said the new policy will make it easier for immigration officers to remove those without a lawful basis to remain and reduce the burden on border patrol agents. “But we must be clear: this cannot achieve the same results as Congressional action, and it does not provide the critical personnel and funding needed to further secure our southern border. Congress still must act,” the US president said. Biden issued a proclamation under Immigration and Nationality Act sections 212(f) and 215(a) suspending entry of noncitizens who cross the southern border into the US unlawfully. The proclamation is accompanied by an interim final rule from the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security that restricts asylum for those noncitizens. A total of 2,206 Jamaicans sought asylum in the US in 2022, according to data from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Data for 2023 for the US is not yet available. INCREASE IN FIGURES Jamaicans who sought asylum in neighbouring Canada in 2022 totalled 408, UNHRC said. That figure increased to 700 up to June in 2023. Trinidad and Tobago rounded out the top three countries where Jamaicans sought asylum in 2022, at 282. Data for 2023 was not available. Noting that the proclamation will make it easier for immigration officers to quickly remove individuals who do not have a legal basis to remain in the US, Biden said the move is temporary. “These actions are not permanent. They will be discontinued when the number of migrants who cross the border between ports of entry is low enough for America’s system to safely and effectively manage border operations,” Biden said. He said the move also includes similar humanitarian exceptions to those included in the bipartisan border agreement announced in the US Senate, including those for unaccompanied children and victims of trafficking. Scores of Jamaicans have paid up to $300,000 for navigation through Central America, including the Darién Gap, to get to the US-Mexico border. No room for non-J’cans - Patterson argues no reason to allow Commonwealth citizens who aren’t Jamaicans to sit in Parliament; dual citizens should not hold certain sensitive positions Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has declared that qualification for sitting in Jamaica’s Parliament should be based on Jamaican nationality, while at the same time arguing that Section 40 of the Constitution should not be confined to legislators. Section 40 (2) (a) of the Constitution prohibits membership of the legislature to anyone who “is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state” except that state is a Commonwealth country. “In my view, no valid reason exists for maintaining the provisions pertaining to a Commonwealth citizen other than a citizen of Jamaica who is resident for at least 12 months to be eligible for parliamentary office,” said Patterson, whose reasoning was the focus of a discussion on the Jamaican Constitution at The University of the West Indies Faculty of Law on Wednesday. Patterson said the qualifications for office must be based on Jamaican citizenship. His comments come amid Jamaica’s constitutional-reform process and intense debate over dual citizenship. Patterson suggested that positions such as the chief of [defence] staff, permanent secretaries, members of the defence board, the chief justice, the president of the Court of Appeal, electoral commissioners, and the director of elections should not hold dual citizenship. “All of these require further national scrutiny and discussion and would apply to further appointments as existing conditions of judges cannot be altered to their disadvantage while serving on the Bench,” Patterson said. Border ban Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson ‘Reasoning about the Jamaican Constitution’ with members of the public at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, Mona. FILE - President Joe Biden . AP [NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED] Cancelled! Clare Dr Karren Dunkley FILE No Jamaica Independence Gala in New York this year
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