Deportees and crime - Jamaica Talk

bountyx · #1 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 12:46 AM

For some time now, there has been talk of the impact of the policy of deporting persons in the US and UK who have been convicted of crimes, back to their country of origin (in this case, Jamaica) on the crime rate in the nation. Last year there was a big uproar when there was talk of increased deportation from Britain to Jamaica. There have been studies done and much discussion on the topic. This year, in his budget presentation, the Minister of National Security outlined plans for another study on the matter

Is it fair for other countries to try and solve their crime problems by sending criminals back to the countries they migrated from, and in many cases, have no connections or ties to anymore?

Mair · #2 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Is it fair for other countries to try and solve their crime problems by sending criminals back to the countries they migrated from, and in many cases, have no connections or ties to anymore?

I think, if a person isn't a citizen of the country they choose to commit crimes in, that is a risk the person is taking - deportation. Comitting a crime is a choice.
Smuggling drugs is a choice. If a person wants to take such risk with their citizenry, then they should expect to ultimately have to face the consequences.

Oddly enough, I have a Canadian friend who was faced with deportation. It was the strangest thing. He broke a restraining order by way of "telephone call" and almost got sent back to Canada because of it. He'd been living here since he was 8 years old or so, now in his mid 40's. It took 3 years to iron the matter out, lots of letter writing from friends vouching for him. It would have been a bummer if he'd been sent back to Canada, however, after 32 years in the country, perhaps its time to seek citizenship. I hope he learned a lesson.

Blingee$ha · #3 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bountyx

Is it fair for other countries to try and solve their crime problems by sending criminals back to the countries they migrated from, and in many cases, have no connections or ties to anymore?

In all honesty, as far as the government is concerned, people are supposed to be immigrating to another country to contribute to it. So if they do commit a crime then yes it's fair that they be deported IMO.

It would be like me moving to another country & getting involved in a drug ring or bringing guns & drugs into the country. The people of the country wouldn't appreciate that, nor would they appreciate the effects that my actions had on their community.

If a person immigrates somewhere and wants to make a life for themselves, and contribute to society then they should be granted the opportunity to do so. If they take that chance to better themselves & decide to do something where they end up in jail, then yes maybe it is in their, and the country's best interests to deport that person.

I do however think that deportation should not be an automatic thing, I think it should be weighted by the crime commited & the risk of that person becoming a multiple offender.

~~~

Blingee$ha · #4 (**permalink**) 05-01-2005, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mair

Oddly enough, I have a Canadian friend who was faced with deportation. It was the strangest thing. He broke a restraining order by way of "telephone call" and almost got sent back to Canada because of it. He'd been living here since he was 8 years old or so, now in his mid 40's. It took 3 years to iron the matter out, lots of letter writing from friends vouching for him. It would have been a bummer if he'd been sent back to Canada, however, after 32 years in the country, perhaps its time to seek citizenship. I hope he learned a lesson.

That's sort of touchy indeed Mair.

It would be ashame, after such a long time of contributing to a society, for the man to be deported & loose all that he worked for, because of a phone call. At the same time, if he takes the risk to break a restraining order, then he must know & accept the concequences of those action even if they are extreme. That whole situation may be apart of his past, but by attempting to reopen the lines of communication with that person he's got a restraining order from ... he has choosen to put himself at risk.

~~

bountyx · #5 (**permalink**) 05-03-2005, 11:39 PM

I think the cases that really stir controversy are those in which the deportee has been away from Jamaica for most of their life. It can be argued that in such cases, the deportees are more of a product of their country of residence than their country of origin. Whatever criminal tendencies they picked up, they picked up from their surroundings. That's the problem which countries that people are deported to, have with it. In addition to that, many deportees have no ties to their country of origin, they have no resources, and have no way to make their way. So they resort to crime again.

Blingee$ha · #6 (**permalink**) 05-04-2005, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bountyx

I think the cases that really stir controversy are those in which the deportee has been away from Jamaica for most of their life. It can be argued that in such cases, the deportees are more of a product of their country of residence than their country of origin. Whatever criminal tendencies they picked up, they picked up from their surroundings. That's the problem which countries that people are deported to, have with it. In addition to that, many deportees have no ties to their country of origin, they have no resources, and have no way to make their way. So they resort to crime again.

On point right there!!!!

Mair · #7 (**permalink**) 05-04-2005, 05:36 PM

Well then one would ask why someone would live here for so long and not seek official citizenship? With that comes elements of protection, and deportation would never be an issue.

enzy · #8 (**permalink**) 05-04-2005, 05:43 PM

By law they have to send the deportees back because obviously, they did wrong in their country (Us or Uk) so they won't take them there. Moreso, send them back here to Jamdung since they are citizens. That is just morally correect thng to do by law.

I don't agree with their crime though but what can we do here in Jamaica? The deportees are not the only ones committing these crimes. Trus mi, I have family that has been dipped before and he has changed. Starting over from scratch with a new life. Everyone deserves that anyhow.

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