KINGSTON, Jamaica – Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. says the recent changes in the immigration policies of the United States, could create more opportunities for Jamaican workers under the government’s overseas employment programme.
Charles says for 2026, the number of participants in its farm work programme increased marginally when compared with the over 15,000 in 2025.
Changes to US immigration policies feature a mix of stricter screening measures, scheduling delays and an increase in total available non-agricultural visas, which have stalled the processing of visas, thereby affecting Jamaicans seeking permanent residence in the United States.
But Charles who was speaking with the Jamaica information Service (JIS), said the legal and longstanding framework of the programme allows for Jamaicans to continue to benefit from overseas earnings on the government programme.
“My assessment of the policies so far have not impeded or negatively impacted any lawful arrangements. And our Overseas Employment Programme is a lawful arrangement between Jamaica and the US where we have said, as a matter of fact, we have sent a permanent secretary overseas to advance the high-level discussions with the US and to stay there, to be fixed there because we have identified the potential opportunities. And we see where those persons that are being removed, Jamaicans are ready to fill those positions, and to do so within the parameters of the law,” he asserted.
