Browsing: Diaspora & Migration

The quarterly intelligence report on Jamaica’s global diaspora for October–December 2022: Jamaica adopts its landmark National Diaspora Policy in November, full-year 2022 remittances reach approximately US$3.44 billion in the first decline since the pandemic-era peak, GDP growth of 5.2 per cent confirms a strong economic year, the UK cost-of-living crisis intensifies through the Christmas quarter, and the FIFA World Cup Qatar brings the diaspora together for football in the absence of the Reggae Boyz.

The Jamaica Diaspora Annual Roundup for 2022: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February triggers the largest European conflict since World War Two and a global cost-of-living crisis; Queen Elizabeth II dies on 8 September aged 96; the UK passes through three prime ministers in one year; the Caribbean reparations campaign intensifies; and Jamaica remittances hold above US$3.2 billion despite inflation pressures on diaspora households.

The quarterly intelligence report on Jamaica’s global diaspora for July–September 2022: the 9th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference outcomes drive a sustained post-conference implementation agenda, Hurricane Fiona strikes Puerto Rico and the eastern Caribbean while Jamaica is spared, global inflation pressures continue to squeeze diaspora household budgets, Jamaica’s economy maintains strong post-pandemic growth, and the National Diaspora Policy approaches final consultation before adoption.

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales visit Jamaica in March 2022 and are met by reparations protests and a prime ministerial declaration of republican intent. More than 100 Jamaican leaders sign a formal slavery letter. The Windrush compensation scheme continues and 21 Jamaicans are rescued from a deportation charter flight. Our quarterly diaspora and Windrush update.

The quarterly intelligence report on Jamaica’s global diaspora for April–June 2022: the landmark 9th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference returns to in-person format in Montego Bay on 18–21 June, the Russia-Ukraine war’s food and fuel price shock squeezes diaspora household budgets, Jamaica’s post-pandemic economic recovery gathers pace, remittances remain at historically elevated levels while beginning a gentle normalisation from the 2021 peak, and voluntary returnee processing continues through PICA.

The quarterly intelligence briefing on Jamaica’s global diaspora for January–March 2022: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February reshapes global commodity and energy markets with immediate implications for diaspora household budgets, the Omicron COVID wave subsides and international travel restrictions begin to ease, 2021 full-year remittances confirm a record US$3.49 billion, preparations intensify for the 9th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in June 2022, and Jamaica’s economy continues its robust post-pandemic recovery.

Twenty-three Windrush generation members die without receiving compensation, prompting legal action against the Home Secretary. Jamaica demands £7.6 billion in reparations as the British High Commissioner dismisses the claim. Barbados becomes a republic in November 2021, intensifying pressure on Jamaica to follow suit. Our quarterly diaspora and Windrush update.

The quarterly intelligence report on Jamaica’s global diaspora for October–December 2021: full-year 2021 remittances approach a record US$3.49 billion as the year closes, Q4 GDP growth of approximately 6.7 per cent confirms Jamaica’s robust post-pandemic rebound, COP26 in Glasgow places Caribbean climate vulnerability on the world stage, the Omicron variant emerges in late November and threatens to disrupt the reopening trajectory, and preparations begin for the 9th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference planned for June 2022.

The Jamaica Diaspora Annual Roundup for 2021: COVID vaccines roll out across host countries and Jamaica; the delayed Tokyo Olympics see Elaine Thompson-Herah win the 100m and 200m double; Biden is inaugurated in January; the Windrush Lessons Learned Review is published finding the Home Office ‘institutionally racist’; Jamaica mourns the death of Bunny Wailer; and remittances exceed US$3.0 billion for the first time.

The inaugural quarterly intelligence report on Jamaica’s global diaspora for July–September 2021: the Haiti earthquake of 14 August galvanises the Jamaican diaspora’s Caribbean solidarity response, the COVID Delta wave tests healthcare systems across North America and Europe while suppressing diaspora travel to Jamaica, Q3 2021 GDP growth of approximately 5.9 per cent confirms the post-pandemic rebound, remittances continue at record-pace through the third quarter, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs follows up on commitments from the Virtual Jamaica Diaspora Symposium of June 2021.

In 2021 Jamaica faces a double crisis: a global pandemic that has devastated its tourism-dependent economy and a domestic murder rate that reaches approximately 49 per 100,000 population — among the highest ever recorded. The Andrew Holness government, re-elected in September 2020 with an enlarged majority, is simultaneously managing the pandemic response, negotiating vaccine access, and deploying States of Public Emergency in Jamaica’s most violent communities.

Two years after the Windrush Compensation Scheme launched, the Al Jazeera and Home Affairs Committee findings reveal that the vast majority of eligible claimants remain uncompensated. The Good Law Project escalates legal pressure. Jamaica PM Holness calls for justice. Windrush Day 2021 marks another year without closure. Our quarterly diaspora and Windrush update.

The quarterly intelligence report on Jamaica’s global diaspora for April–June 2021: the Virtual Jamaica Diaspora Symposium convenes on 18–19 June as a substitute for the delayed in-person 9th Biennial Conference, Jamaica’s economy records exceptional Q2 2021 GDP growth of approximately 14.2 per cent on a low 2020 base, remittances maintain their remarkable pandemic-era pace, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout accelerates in diaspora countries, and diaspora travel to Jamaica remains suppressed though borders remain open.

The quarterly intelligence report on Jamaica’s global diaspora for January–March 2021: Joe Biden’s inauguration on 20 January transforms the US immigration enforcement environment, the American Rescue Plan Act injects $1.9 trillion into the US economy boosting Jamaican-American household liquidity, COVID vaccines begin rolling out in diaspora countries, Jamaica’s economy shows early recovery signs following 2020’s contraction, the Virtual Diaspora Symposium is announced for June 2021, and remittances maintain their extraordinary pandemic-era pace.

Jamaica’s JLP wins 49 seats in a September 2020 election landslide. The Black Lives Matter movement brings renewed urgency to the Windrush debate in Britain. Priti Patel raises the maximum Windrush compensation to £100,000 in December 2020. COVID-19 disproportionately impacts Caribbean-heritage communities. Our quarterly diaspora update.