Browsing: Diaspora & Migration

The definitive quarterly intelligence report on Jamaica’s global diaspora for October–December 2024: Donald Trump’s election victory triggers diaspora deportation anxiety, Hurricane Beryl’s recovery continues across southern parishes, October remittances up 3.7 per cent, and the 10th Biennial Diaspora Conference outcomes begin implementation.

The fourth five-year retrospective of the Jamaica Diaspora & Returnee Update series surveys 2020–2024: COVID-19 reshapes every dimension of diaspora life while remittances surge to record highs; the Black Lives Matter movement reaches its global peak; Biden then Trump bookend the US political cycle; the UK passes through six prime ministers; Elaine Thompson-Herah’s Tokyo sprint double continues Jamaica’s athletic dynasty; and remittances grow from US$2.9 billion to US$3.4 billion in five extraordinary years.

The Jamaica Diaspora Annual Roundup for 2024: Donald Trump wins the US presidential election in November; the UK elects a Labour government under Keir Starmer in July with a historic landslide; the Paris Olympics see Jamaica’s athletes continue their sprint dominance; climate disasters intensify across the Caribbean; and remittances to Jamaica hold above US$3.4 billion as the diaspora relationship deepens through digital engagement.

The definitive quarterly intelligence report on Jamaica’s global diaspora for July–September 2024: Hurricane Beryl’s devastating July landfall disrupts remittances and contracts GDP by an estimated 2.8 per cent, diaspora fundraising mobilises generously in response, the catastrophe bond controversy raises questions about Jamaica’s disaster finance architecture, and the newly launched JA-DEM and Diaspora Registration Portal begin operations.

Jamaica’s Constitutional Reform Committee publishes a landmark two-phase plan for republican transition in May 2024. The Constitution (Amendment) (Republic of Jamaica) Bill enters parliament. Windrush Day 2024 marks six years of the compensation scheme as Britain enters its general election campaign. Our quarterly diaspora and Windrush update.

The definitive quarterly intelligence report on Jamaica’s global diaspora for April–June 2024: the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference draws 1,193 delegates and launches the JA-DEM, the Diaspora Registration Portal and the Jamaica Diaspora Mentorship Academy, Q2 remittances grow 3.8 per cent, and — as this report goes to press — Category 5 Hurricane Beryl approaches Jamaica on a track for landfall within 24 hours.

The inaugural edition of the Quarterly Jamaica Diaspora & Returnee Update, covering January–March 2024: January remittances open at US$228.3 million, Jamaica’s economy enters 2024 on a broadly positive footing, preparations are underway for the landmark 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in June, voluntary returnee flows continue from the United Kingdom, and the SAWP opens its 2024 registration cycle.

The UK’s independent assessor of the Windrush Compensation Scheme visits Jamaica in November 2023, finding the scheme’s international engagement inadequate. Jamaica’s constitutional reform momentum builds. The reparations debate intensifies following King Charles III’s coronation, and the Windrush 75th anniversary legacy carries through to year-end. Our quarterly diaspora and Windrush update.

The quarterly intelligence report on Jamaica’s global diaspora for October–December 2023: full-year 2023 remittances declined 2.0 per cent to approximately US$3.37 billion, Q4 GDP grew a solid 1.9 per cent, 655 Jamaican nationals were returned from the United States during the year, the National Diaspora Policy enters implementation, and Jamaica prepares for a general election.

The Jamaica Diaspora Annual Roundup for 2023: the generative AI revolution reshapes economies and workforces across diaspora host countries; the Israel-Gaza war erupts in October and tests international solidarity frameworks; Jamaica’s economy delivers its strongest growth in years; the reparations campaign continues to gain momentum; and remittances remain above US$3.3 billion as cost-of-living pressures ease.

The quarterly intelligence report on Jamaica’s global diaspora for July–September 2023: remittances continue their post-pandemic normalisation below the 2022 pace, Q2 2023 GDP grew 2.3 per cent, an above-average Atlantic hurricane season passes Jamaica without a direct strike, the National Diaspora Policy drives deepening engagement, and Jamaica’s diplomatic missions manage elevated consular demand.

The 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush arrival on 22 June 2023 triggers the most significant commemorations in the event’s history. Human Rights Watch declares the compensation scheme hostile and unfit for purpose. King Charles III’s coronation in May reignites Jamaica’s reparations demands. Our quarterly diaspora and Windrush update.

The quarterly intelligence report on Jamaica’s global diaspora for April–June 2023: remittances opened the year strongly with approximately US$500 million in January–February, the National Diaspora Policy drives a deepening institutional agenda, the 9th Biennial Conference commitments are in active follow-through, the UK cost-of-living crisis continues to suppress British-Jamaican remittance growth, and voluntary returnee flows from the UK remain the dominant stream of voluntary migration to the island.

The quarterly intelligence briefing on Jamaica’s global diaspora for January–March 2023: remittances sustained their broad scale with approximately US$250 million in January alone, the landmark National Diaspora Policy begins operational implementation, outcomes from the 9th Biennial Conference guide inter-ministerial working group activity, the UK cost-of-living crisis exerts continuing pressure on British-Jamaican senders, and voluntary returnee processing through PICA maintains steady throughput.

Queen Elizabeth II’s death on 8 September 2022 intensifies Jamaica’s republican ambitions as Charles III accedes to the throne. The Home Office launches a media campaign in Jamaica for Windrush claimants. The compensation scheme surpasses £64 million and the UK resumes deportation charter flights to the island. Our quarterly diaspora and Windrush update.