THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE UNITED States Embassy in Kingston has a special arrangement with Airpak Courier Services, styled 'U.S Embassy Courier Pass Back Program for Return of Non-Immigrant Visas'.
As of Monday, May 9, 2005, all approved non-immigrant visas are delivered to recipients through what is described as a user-paid professional courier service. The service is mandatory and the cost ranges from J$375.00 to J$450.00 (plus GCT) depending on the level of service selected.
I believe the U.S. Embassy can justify to any lengths the reasons for adopting this system in the name of efficiency improvement. Notwithstanding this, I would like to ask them or any other government body, group or legally minded person the following:
1. Is Airpak regarded as an 'authorised' agent to handle the passports of Jamaicans?
2. Does the U.S. Embassy hold written permission from visa applicants to deliver their passports to a third party?
3. Is the U.S. Embassy justifiably satisfied with the security of the Jamaican passports while
in the custody of this courier company?
4. What recourse is available to visa applicants in the event a passport is missing, lost or destroyed, whether accidentally or maliciously?
5. To what extent can the U.S. Embassy safeguard the privacy of the visa applicants?
FLEXING THEIR MUSCLES
It is well recognised that the United States of America has been known to 'flex their muscles' on other nations, especially on weaker, poorer countries whose citizens regard them as the land of opportunity. There are several economic and social reasons why many Jamaicans would turn a blind eye to such a high-handed and non-consultative approach. My research could not unearth any other country where this system is practised. I would therefore not regard it as total arrogance towards other persons/countries but rather targeted at Jamaicans who have unfortunately developed an insatiable appetite for American goods and services, to the extent where some of us flock to their shores regardless of the degradation and dehumanising treatment which are sometimes meted out to us.
I am, etc.,
PAMELA V. LOWE
gladina10@yahoo.com
