The Editor, Sir:

In response to the Letter of the Day published on Thursday September 13, the writer speaks about her humble success while living in Florida.

As an individual who has spent 19 years in Florida, I applaud her success and elaborate even further. In my opinion, the United States can be considered as the 'Land of Opportunity' for many Caribbean migrants. But, an individual success story may vary depending on the issues involved.

In 1985, after serving the Jamaica Constabulary Force as a criminal investigator, I migrated to the United States legally. In 1988, I graduated from the U.S. Army training with honours. In 1996, I graduated with honours from a tertiary institution with a degree in computer science.

In addition to well-paying government jobs, kids, a home, a Lexus, friends and good co-workers, I was having problems living in Central Florida as a result of 'racial profiling'.

Florida has one of the toughest laws in the U.S. and injustice and discrimination are common. In Florida, the legality of an arrest is an essential element of the charge of resisting arrest without violence - and a prosecutor has the burden of satisfying that element. If the arrest is unlawful, the prosecution must fail as a matter of law.

My dreams and hopes were shattered when I was convicted and deported for the above-mentioned offence - wherein the arresting officer commits the offence by violating Section 901.15(1)(4) as it relates to making an arrest for a violation of Section 843.02 Florida Statutes.

I was sent home as a criminal deportee suffering from the stigmatisation and marginalisation that comes with it. What an experience!

In all of that, I say this from the heart, GOD BLESS AMERICA.

I am, etc.,

CHARLES BROWN

charliebrown1004@hotmail.com

St. Thomas