From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Jamaicans overseas and the extradition affair
BY Delano Franklyn
Saturday, May 08, 2010
AS it is in Jamaica, the most talked about issue currently among Jamaicans living abroad is the extradition request for Christopher Coke, and how it has been, and is being handled by the Bruce Golding-led administration.
Read the whole column here.
Snippet(s):
"This issue has pushed the divestment of Air Jamaica to the number two position on the list of concerns by Jamaicans living outside Jamaica. While being severely critical of the burial of Air Jamaica by the Government, they have resigned their minds to the fact that despite the attempts of the pilots to keep Air Jamaica in Jamaican hands, the Government, as demanded by the International Monetary Fund, had no option, or was not prepared to consider any other option, but to conclude the deal with Caribbean Airlines.
Some members of the Diaspora in the New York asked why are some members of the JLP Government — for whom they have a lot of respect — such as (from left) Dr Kenneth Baugh, Delroy Chuck, Dwight Nelson, Edmund Bartlett, and Rudyard Spencer silent on the extradition matter."
"Why has the prime minister seen it fit to be leading the defence of a man who is being sought by the State Department for drug- and gun-running?"
"Are (sic) the prime minister prepared to sacrifice his political career as a result of this extradition issue because the person for whom the extradition has been made is a leading member of his own constituency and an alleged 'powerbroker' in the party which he leads?
* Is the prime minister and the other members of his team afraid of what the person whose extradition request is being sought might possibly say about the involvement in criminal activities of any other well-known person or persons in Jamaica?"
&
"The members of the diasporic community, rightly or wrongly, no different from persons living in Jamaica, are not making and seem not to be prepared to delink the issues. They see, for example, the revocation of the visa of Wayne Chen and the entertainers as being linked to the tightening of the screws against Jamaica and Jamaicans because of the Government's refusal to honour the extradition request.
As a result of this view, many Jamaicans living overseas, as well as inside Jamaica are afraid to travel out of fear that they will be told that their visa has been revoked. One middle-class professional who has developed a distinguished career in the area of health in Baltimore, told me that she always visited Jamaica yearly, but she has no plans to visit until this impasse is settled.
A young man in the teaching profession in New York said that he will be visiting Jamaica in July this year and he is extremely fearful that his visa may be revoked when he is returning to the USA; and one Jamaican living in the Hartford area of Connecticut said he knows not what to make of the situation because, if 'Mr Chen's visa can be revoked without prior notice, so can mine', so he is not taking the chance to travel to Jamaica any time soon."
Showing posts with label revocation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label revocation. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
JG - Travellers to United States concerned, not worried
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
Travellers to United States concerned, not worried
Published: Sunday April 11, 2010
United States visa applicants gather in front of the embassy in Liguanea, St Andrew, in this Gleaner file photo. -Norman Grindley / Deputy Chief Photographer
Tyrone Reid, Sunday Gleaner Reporter
JAMAICANS TRAVELLING to the United States of America (US) are concerned about the recent non-immigrant visa revocations of at least one prominent businessman and five entertainers, but are scared to comment openly about it.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Although the response was unsolicited, at least one Jamaican with a stern face made it known that she would not touch the issue with a 10-foot pole. Others, fearing possible repercussions, were not willing to speak on record.
Visa holders, it is reported, are not aware that their visa has been cancelled until they arrive at the airline check-in desk at the airport. Our news team captured the mood of travellers to the US at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston on Thursday."
"The baptised New Yorker is among a number of Jamaicans who think the revocations are linked to the extradition tussle between the US and Jamaica involving alleged drug kingpin, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. She is of the view that if the visa revocations are part of a broader punishment package crafted by the US to get Jamaica to extradite the man known in the streets as the 'president', then they are excessive."
&
"She opined that the government of her adopted homeland was being unfair because it is said that the 'president' has never travelled to America. However, under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty that deals with extradition, travelling to the requesting state is not a prerequisite for a prima facie case to be made out against an individual and a subsequent extradition request sent."
Jamaica Gleaner
Travellers to United States concerned, not worried
Published: Sunday April 11, 2010
United States visa applicants gather in front of the embassy in Liguanea, St Andrew, in this Gleaner file photo. -Norman Grindley / Deputy Chief Photographer
Tyrone Reid, Sunday Gleaner Reporter
JAMAICANS TRAVELLING to the United States of America (US) are concerned about the recent non-immigrant visa revocations of at least one prominent businessman and five entertainers, but are scared to comment openly about it.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Although the response was unsolicited, at least one Jamaican with a stern face made it known that she would not touch the issue with a 10-foot pole. Others, fearing possible repercussions, were not willing to speak on record.
Visa holders, it is reported, are not aware that their visa has been cancelled until they arrive at the airline check-in desk at the airport. Our news team captured the mood of travellers to the US at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston on Thursday."
"The baptised New Yorker is among a number of Jamaicans who think the revocations are linked to the extradition tussle between the US and Jamaica involving alleged drug kingpin, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. She is of the view that if the visa revocations are part of a broader punishment package crafted by the US to get Jamaica to extradite the man known in the streets as the 'president', then they are excessive."
&
"She opined that the government of her adopted homeland was being unfair because it is said that the 'president' has never travelled to America. However, under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty that deals with extradition, travelling to the requesting state is not a prerequisite for a prima facie case to be made out against an individual and a subsequent extradition request sent."
Friday, March 26, 2010
JO - Revoke visas of politicians, unscrupulous businessmen
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
Revoke visas of politicians, unscrupulous businessmen
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Dear Editor,
The stink of Jamaica's corruption, to which most at home have grown accustomed, has finally begun to wrinkle the noses of our neighbours. While out of one side of our mouth we bemoan the depths to which we have sunk and wonder how we got this far, out of the other side we will call hellfire to rain down on anyone, any agency that dares to point out our shortcomings. Some of us will continue pretending we don't know the reason for Operation Visa Revocation, which seems to be the latest US "tough love" strategy designed to steer us off the path of delinquency and criminality.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Well, since we have been afraid to tag our big fish and call out our "players", the US is tagging them for us, and not even our duly elected leaders can take the pressure. After hearing about "the list", I can only imagine the mounting stress that some folks are going through, whether they have green card, citizenship or non-immigrant visa, since they don't have a clue what the US knows about the shady activities in their past, and if they will be disgraced."
"The mystery police superintendent whose visa has been revoked is said to have been under investigation for corruption, yet he is squealing for his lawyer to negotiate with the US regarding his visa."
"By now those in high places should realise that the US visa is not their right, and that their privileged status in that banana republic will not afford them any special privileges in the republic to the north. But why is the identity of the superintendent being protected by the media? Would his life be in danger if he were exposed?
The media should not aid in obstructing the lesson to be learnt from all this: one vital to other members of the force and the civilian population who think of the US as their alternate option when they run afoul of the law at home and need a hideout."
"The US is doing a great service for our nation."
&
"It is my fervent hope that the US will revoke the visa of every last politician and unscrupulous businessman in that miserable little island, until they realise it's all they have, and who knows, perhaps they'll begin to treat the citizens and the country with more respect."
Hunter Gray
Populierenlaan
Krimpen a/d IJssel
Netherlands
grayhunter19@yahoo.com
Jamaica Observer
Revoke visas of politicians, unscrupulous businessmen
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Dear Editor,
The stink of Jamaica's corruption, to which most at home have grown accustomed, has finally begun to wrinkle the noses of our neighbours. While out of one side of our mouth we bemoan the depths to which we have sunk and wonder how we got this far, out of the other side we will call hellfire to rain down on anyone, any agency that dares to point out our shortcomings. Some of us will continue pretending we don't know the reason for Operation Visa Revocation, which seems to be the latest US "tough love" strategy designed to steer us off the path of delinquency and criminality.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Well, since we have been afraid to tag our big fish and call out our "players", the US is tagging them for us, and not even our duly elected leaders can take the pressure. After hearing about "the list", I can only imagine the mounting stress that some folks are going through, whether they have green card, citizenship or non-immigrant visa, since they don't have a clue what the US knows about the shady activities in their past, and if they will be disgraced."
"The mystery police superintendent whose visa has been revoked is said to have been under investigation for corruption, yet he is squealing for his lawyer to negotiate with the US regarding his visa."
"By now those in high places should realise that the US visa is not their right, and that their privileged status in that banana republic will not afford them any special privileges in the republic to the north. But why is the identity of the superintendent being protected by the media? Would his life be in danger if he were exposed?
The media should not aid in obstructing the lesson to be learnt from all this: one vital to other members of the force and the civilian population who think of the US as their alternate option when they run afoul of the law at home and need a hideout."
"The US is doing a great service for our nation."
&
"It is my fervent hope that the US will revoke the visa of every last politician and unscrupulous businessman in that miserable little island, until they realise it's all they have, and who knows, perhaps they'll begin to treat the citizens and the country with more respect."
Hunter Gray
Populierenlaan
Krimpen a/d IJssel
Netherlands
grayhunter19@yahoo.com
Monday, January 11, 2010
re: "Not just visas"
Digger at Life After Jerusalem ("The musings of a Two-Spirit American Indian, Public Diplomacy-coned Foreign Service Officer") deconstructs Joel Mowbray's piece in the Washington Times.
Money quote(s):
"(I)ssuing the visa was the appropriate decision. However, even had State revoked the visa the moment his father raised concerns, this would not have affected his ability to get onto the flight because he still had in his passport a visa that looked valid. Airlines don't have access to our visa records for understandable security reasons, and we don't have DHS agents at every overseas airport in the world. So the first place that it could have been noticed that his visa had been revoked would have been at the U.S. border. and his attack occurred long before that."
Which doesn't fit Mr. Mowbray's normal default position of finding State at fault.
"When I took con-gen (the training course for consular officers), I was told that for tourist visas you start at no. All applicants are to be presumed to be intending immigrants until they can prove otherwise."
Under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (as amended), every applicant for a non-immigrant visa (NIV) must be considered to be an intending immigrant (and thus inelible to receive a non-immigrant visa) unless they convince the interviewing consular officer of their qualifications and non-immigrant bona fides. Period.
There are specific categories of NIV where this doesn't apply (such as fiancee visas for persons who're traveling to the U.S. in order to marry their U.S. citizen intended and who will adjust status to Legal Permanent Resident once the ink's dry on their marriage certificate), but for tourism and business travel it's square one.
"I think this is the default position for every officer working the visa window, especially those of us who joined after 9/11. Because no one wants to be part of letting that happen again. We all jumped through a lot of hoops to join the Foreign Service because we love this country and wanted to serve it."
Money quote(s):
"(I)ssuing the visa was the appropriate decision. However, even had State revoked the visa the moment his father raised concerns, this would not have affected his ability to get onto the flight because he still had in his passport a visa that looked valid. Airlines don't have access to our visa records for understandable security reasons, and we don't have DHS agents at every overseas airport in the world. So the first place that it could have been noticed that his visa had been revoked would have been at the U.S. border. and his attack occurred long before that."
Which doesn't fit Mr. Mowbray's normal default position of finding State at fault.
"When I took con-gen (the training course for consular officers), I was told that for tourist visas you start at no. All applicants are to be presumed to be intending immigrants until they can prove otherwise."
Under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (as amended), every applicant for a non-immigrant visa (NIV) must be considered to be an intending immigrant (and thus inelible to receive a non-immigrant visa) unless they convince the interviewing consular officer of their qualifications and non-immigrant bona fides. Period.
There are specific categories of NIV where this doesn't apply (such as fiancee visas for persons who're traveling to the U.S. in order to marry their U.S. citizen intended and who will adjust status to Legal Permanent Resident once the ink's dry on their marriage certificate), but for tourism and business travel it's square one.
"I think this is the default position for every officer working the visa window, especially those of us who joined after 9/11. Because no one wants to be part of letting that happen again. We all jumped through a lot of hoops to join the Foreign Service because we love this country and wanted to serve it."
Monday, September 14, 2009
JG - A visa may be revoked at any time and for any reason
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
A visa may be revoked at any time and for any reason
Published: Tuesday April 21, 2009
Walker-Huntington
Q: I was married to a Jamaican who is a citizen of the United States (US). He filed for me while I was there with him, and then came down for my interview here in Jamaica. I was denied the visa because I had overstayed in the US.
Now I need to know if I will be able to ever go back to the US. I am dating now and he happens to be an American-born. Should this man and I get married and he decides to file for me, will I still be denied the fact that I had once overstayed in the US?
Thanking you in advance.
J.D.
Read the rest of the article here.
_____
Dahlia A. Walker-Huntington, Esq. is a Jamaican-American attorney who practices law in Florida in the areas of Immigration, Family, Corporate & Personal-Injury Law. She is a mediator, arbitrator and Special Magistrate in Broward County, Florida. Send your questions and comments to: editor@gleanerjm.com or info@walkerhuntington.com.
Jamaica Gleaner
A visa may be revoked at any time and for any reason
Published: Tuesday April 21, 2009
Walker-Huntington
Q: I was married to a Jamaican who is a citizen of the United States (US). He filed for me while I was there with him, and then came down for my interview here in Jamaica. I was denied the visa because I had overstayed in the US.
Now I need to know if I will be able to ever go back to the US. I am dating now and he happens to be an American-born. Should this man and I get married and he decides to file for me, will I still be denied the fact that I had once overstayed in the US?
Thanking you in advance.
J.D.
Read the rest of the article here.
_____
Dahlia A. Walker-Huntington, Esq. is a Jamaican-American attorney who practices law in Florida in the areas of Immigration, Family, Corporate & Personal-Injury Law. She is a mediator, arbitrator and Special Magistrate in Broward County, Florida. Send your questions and comments to: editor@gleanerjm.com or info@walkerhuntington.com.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
GMA - DFA distances itself from Erap's US visa woes
From my archive of press clippings:
GMA News
DFA distances itself from Erap's US visa woes
05/23/2008 06:42 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday distanced itself from the issue regarding the cancellation of the former President Joseph Estrada's US visa.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"According to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, there was no need to make representations before US embassy officials because the cancellation of visa cancellations are the prerogative of the US State Department."
&
"US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Anne Kenney declined to comment on the issue, saying that, as a rule, the US Embassy does not disclose an individual’s visa status.
“This is an easy answer. We never as a matter of policy and legal requirement comment on the status of anyone’s visa. That’s a private and individual matter. No comment," Kenney said."
GMA News
DFA distances itself from Erap's US visa woes
05/23/2008 06:42 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday distanced itself from the issue regarding the cancellation of the former President Joseph Estrada's US visa.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"According to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, there was no need to make representations before US embassy officials because the cancellation of visa cancellations are the prerogative of the US State Department."
&
"US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Anne Kenney declined to comment on the issue, saying that, as a rule, the US Embassy does not disclose an individual’s visa status.
“This is an easy answer. We never as a matter of policy and legal requirement comment on the status of anyone’s visa. That’s a private and individual matter. No comment," Kenney said."
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
ABS-CBN - US State Dept revokes visas of Erap, others in espionage case
From my archive of press clippings:
ABS-CBN News
US State Dept revokes visas of Erap, others in espionage case
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 5:56 PM
By CES DRILON
ABS-CBN News
The US State Department has revoked the US visas of at least six current and former government officials, in connection with the first known case of espionage from within the White House involving naturalized FIlipino American Leandro Aragoncillo last year.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"(A) close Estrada associate, whose visa was cancelled, estimates fifteen to twenty opposition figures suffered the cancellation of their visas, including former President Joseph Estrada and former House Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella.
In July 2007, a Federal Court in New Jersey sentenced Aragoncillo, a naturalized Filipino-American intelligence analyst who worked for US Vice-President Richard "Dick" Cheney, to ten years imprisonment. He was charged for stealing classified information about President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and passing it on to known opposition leaders in the Philippines.
Former member of the Lower House Gilbert Remulla received a letter from the US Embassy in June last year informing him of the cancellation of his US visa. The letter cited the US Immigration and Nationality Act which "prohibits the issuance of a visa to anyone who seeks to engage in espionage against the US, as well as for sabotage and/or illegal export from the US of goods, technology and sensitive information."
Remulla said he has appealed his case and reapplied for a visa but was told by a US consular official that Washington would have to review his application.
In contrast, his children were granted visas valid for ten years."
ABS-CBN News
US State Dept revokes visas of Erap, others in espionage case
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 5:56 PM
By CES DRILON
ABS-CBN News
The US State Department has revoked the US visas of at least six current and former government officials, in connection with the first known case of espionage from within the White House involving naturalized FIlipino American Leandro Aragoncillo last year.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"(A) close Estrada associate, whose visa was cancelled, estimates fifteen to twenty opposition figures suffered the cancellation of their visas, including former President Joseph Estrada and former House Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella.
In July 2007, a Federal Court in New Jersey sentenced Aragoncillo, a naturalized Filipino-American intelligence analyst who worked for US Vice-President Richard "Dick" Cheney, to ten years imprisonment. He was charged for stealing classified information about President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and passing it on to known opposition leaders in the Philippines.
Former member of the Lower House Gilbert Remulla received a letter from the US Embassy in June last year informing him of the cancellation of his US visa. The letter cited the US Immigration and Nationality Act which "prohibits the issuance of a visa to anyone who seeks to engage in espionage against the US, as well as for sabotage and/or illegal export from the US of goods, technology and sensitive information."
Remulla said he has appealed his case and reapplied for a visa but was told by a US consular official that Washington would have to review his application.
In contrast, his children were granted visas valid for ten years."
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