J’can Consulate in New York hosts successful outreach in Chicago
Published:Thursday | November 28, 2024 | 12:05 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer
The Jamaican Consulate in New York has described as very successful its recent outreach to Jamaicans in the Chicago area.
The visit by Consul General Alsion Wilson and members of the consulate staff as well as representatives from the Passport, Immigration and Citizen Agency (PICA) out of Jamaica provided passport services, applications for citizenships as well as update passport applications made previously but which were lacking certain documents.
A representative for the consulate said that not only did Jamaicans in Chicago and other parts of Illinois made use of the services offered during the three-day visit – November 16-18, but Jamaicans from surrounding states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana participated, but Jamaicans from as far away as Texas also took part in the outreach programme.
Jamaicans were able to apply in person for their Jamaican passports, but were also able to update documentation for passport applications where necessary as well as apply for Jamaican citizenship.
Over the three days, reports are that more than 150 people took the opportunity to apply for their Jamaican passports with some 82 other people also accessing other services.
According to Community Outreach Officer at the Consulate, Christopher Benjamin, people not only took the opportunity to apply for their Jamaican passports but submitted documents for outstanding passport applications, submitted applications to become Jamaican citizens as well as applied for birth certificates online with the assistance of PICA representatives.
During the visit, the consul general and staff members attending a church service at the Evanston Church of God and Wilson also visited a number of Jamaica-owned businesses.
During the visit to the church, Wilson told the packed audience that although it was the first visit to Chicago by the consulate staff, there are plans to strengthen the relationship between the Consulate and the Jamaican communities in the Midwestern states.
During her visit to one Jamaican business – Good 2 Go restaurant, the owners Tony and Lenice Levy expressed a desire to work more closely with the Consulate in New York and the honorary consulate offices in Chicago to better serve the Jamaican community and to expand Jamaican business footprints in the area.
In announcing the outreach, Wilson said it was designed to serve Jamaicans in Chicago and nearby areas.
“This is your chance to handle essential consular matters without travelling to New York. Please share this invitation with your friends and family in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri,” she said in the announcement.
Wilson said that taking the consular services of the Consulate General to the local setting was one way to connect with people who would otherwise have to mail their applications, resulting in unnecessary delays in having their applications processed.
“We believe that the Consulate has to go where the people are to provide the services that they desire from the Consulate,” she said.
The Chicago outreach is a continuation of the Consulate’s outreach programme which has already visited a number of other locations.