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United Nations

Caribbean Immigration Advocates Urge US President Trump to Grant Jamaica Temporary Protected Status

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Hurricane Melissa's catastrophic destruction in Jamaica has left the island's residents reeling, and Caribbean immigration advocates in New York are calling on President Trump to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to the over 230,000 Jamaicans in New York state. The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) has urged the administration to meet this moment and designate TPS for Jamaica, ensuring that those affected have the stability and dignity to continue rebuilding their lives without the fear of deportation. Meanwhile, the United Nations has deployed aid and resources to Jamaica, with the World Food Program (WFP) focusing on delivering emergency food boxes and logistics support to enable a coordinated humanitarian response.

Key Takeaways:

  • The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is urging President Trump to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Jamaica, citing the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on the island's residents and infrastructure.
  • Over 230,000 Jamaicans live in New York state, and NYIC President and CEO Murad Awawdeh warns that deporting them back to a country in the middle of a humanitarian crisis would be "reckless and inhumane."
  • The UN has deployed aid and resources to Jamaica, with the World Food Program (WFP) focusing on delivering 2,000 emergency food boxes to support 6,000 people for a week.
  • The UN has allocated US$4 million to Haiti and Cuba from its Central Emergency Fund to help communities prepare for the storm and reduce its impact.
  • At least 20 Haitians have died due to river flooding as Hurricane Melissa barreled across the region.
  • The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed his solidarity with the governments and communities affected by the hurricane, and is working with authorities and humanitarian partners to assess needs and assist those impacted.
  • The UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock has highlighted the need for sustained and scaled-up climate action, stating that adaptation is not optional, but survival.

Statistics:

  • 230,000: The number of Jamaicans living in New York state.
  • 20: The number of Haitians who have died due to river flooding as Hurricane Melissa barreled across the region.
  • US$4 million: The amount allocated by the UN to Haiti and Cuba from its Central Emergency Fund to help communities prepare for the storm.
  • 2,000: The number of emergency food boxes being delivered by the WFP to support 6,000 people for a week.
  • 138 mph: The maximum sustained winds of Hurricane Melissa as it crossed into Cuba.
  • 222 km/h: The speed of the maximum sustained winds of Hurricane Melissa as it crossed into Cuba.
  • 145 millimeters: The two-day rainfall totals approaching the level of devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Sources:

  • Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC)
  • The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC)
  • United Nations (UN)
  • World Food Program (WFP)
  • UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock's tweet

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