Ambassador Marks connects with Jamaicans in Florida

Jamaican Ambassador to the United States, Audrey P. Marks, on her first official visit to Florida, met with members of the Jamaican diaspora to fortify the bond between them and Jamaicans at home.

The ambassador, who was on a six-day tour of Florida, addressed diaspora members during a public forum at Nova University in Davie. She explained that as ambassador she has three major mandates: to improve and enhance the historically amiable relationship between Jamaican and US; to promote trade and investments between the two countries and to engage the Jamaican diaspora and strengthen the link between Jamaicans here and at home.

Ambassador Marks has been working closely with US officials in Washington, DC, to negotiate changes to policies that are detrimental to Jamaicans here and in the homeland, to ensure that the island can derive more benefits from its relationship with the US.

Become citizens

One of the issues currently under negotiations is the way in which the US determines and processes deportees. The ambassador said deportation in some cases was very harsh, especially for people who have lived in the US most of their lives and have no strong ties to Jamaica. She is also trying to negotiate having deportees receive social security and other benefits that they paid into the system while working in the US.

On that note, Marks encouraged members of the diaspora to become citizens not only so they can enjoy its advantages, but to allow them to be an active part of America's politics. "If you're going to be here for five years or more, become a citizen," she said, assuring them they will never lose their heritage as Jamaicans.

As she fielded questions from the audience, the ambassador addressed the recurring question of whether the Government will allow diaspora members to vote in political elections in the island. Marks said she did not believe it was practical for the more than three million Jamaicans living overseas to decide for the 2.7 million at home. However, she said the diaspora can help by becoming active in the political process in the US, so they can help to influence policies that are favourable to Jamaica.

Marks asserted that the Government has continued to take "a serious approach to governance and security". Crime in Jamaica, a sticking point at home and in the diaspora, she said, has seen a 44 per cent decline, especially in drug-related crimes and murder - a factor she said is largely due to the determination of the Government to dismantle gangs and their criminal networks . She stated this remained an area of cooperation between the governments of Jamaica and the US.

On the Jamaican economy, the ambassador spoke positively about the direction Jamaica is heading, pointing to historically low interest rates on government Treasury rates and international loans. She spoke of the strides made in many sectors of the economy, including tremendous inroads in the agricultural sector, which is showing a 13 per cent growth.

She also encouraged more trade between Jamaica and the US and said the island is in an excellent position to facilitate investments.