POLITICAL SOVEREIGNTY AND IMMIGRATION IN THE CARIBBEAN Prior to Public Law 89-236, only native-born citizens of Western Hemisphere nations which were independent at the time of the enactment of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 were exempt from the quota limitations of American immigration laws. Native-born citizens of the British, French, and Dutch flag possessions in the Western Hemisphere were subject to subquotas of 100 per annum derived from the mother country. Recent changes both in U.S. immigration legislation and in the political status of some of these possessions have considerably altered the situation. Public Law 89-236 of October 3, 1965, provides significantly broadened possibilities for immigration from Caribbean colonies and former colonies of the European states. The new Act expanded the definition of those areas exempt from the numerical limitations to include native-born citizens of the newly independent Western Hemisphere nations. Public Law 89-236 thus immediately granted Special Immigrant status to qualified citizens of Jamaica and Trinidad (independent in 1962), a status which was subsequently extended to citizens of Guyana and Barbados (independent in 1965 and 1966). These four nations have a collective population of approximately 3,650,000. Further, Public Law 89-236 significantly increased the quota numbers available to the remaining European flag dependencies. Subquotas for possessions are 1 percent of the numbers available to the sovereign state; thus persons born in the Dutch and French flag possessions are now eligible for 200 immigrant visa quota numbers annually while the British possessions have 653, a ceiling which will decrease to 200 when national quotas terminate in July 1968. No possession in this hemisphere has yet used its maximum allotment of immigrant visas. Changes in the political status of the Western Hemisphere possessions may continue to be reflected in the immigration of their citizens to the United States. Prior to World War II, European possessions were colonies ruled, to a greater or lesser degree, by the mother country. Such is no longer the case. As noted, the citizens of four former British possessions which are now independent receive Special Immigrant (i.e. nonquota) status. Independence is contemplated in 1968 for British Honduras, whose estimated population of 105,000 would then be eligible for similar status. Further, earlier this year each of five former English colonies (Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla, and St. Lucia, combined population 395,000) became an Associate State with the United Kingdom. Although the United Kingdom retains responsibility for defense and most foreign affairs, each Associate State has complete internal self-government and now can negotiate economic assistance agree ments with any commonwealth nation, the United States, or any international organization of which the United Kingdom is a member. Any Associate State may complete the procedure for full independence with a two-thirds vote of legislature, followed by referendum approval of two-thirds of the voters. Should an Associate State wish to join with an already independent commonwealth member, only the legislative vote is required. Should an Associate State become independent, or join an already independent commonwealth nation, its native-born citizens would immediately be eligible for Special Immigrant status. However, each immigrant would, of course, be subject to all other requirements for immigration. Whether each area concerned will continue its Associate Statehood or will move to full independence remains to be seen. If as an Associate State each can accomplish what it believes to be significant progress toward the general national aspirations of economic growth and social betterment of its people, the political status quo will continue. Should any state fail to achieve these ends, or believe that its current political status frustrates rapid progress toward them, then there is every likelihood that it will abandon Associate Statehood for independence, either alone or in conjunction with another commonwealth nation. The United Kingdom still has a number of colonies in the Western Hemisphere. The Bahamas, Bermuda, the British Virgins, and Montserrat (with an estimated total population of 210,000) all have a large degree of internal autonomy, which for some could evolve into Associate Statehood. Another colony, St. Vincent (population 90,000), is scheduled to become an Associate State in 1967. The United Kingdom also has jurisdiction over the Grand Cayman, the Caymen Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands (total population 211,000). These are administered as nonselfgoverning colonies and no change in their political status is expected. Three of the French flag areas, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and French Guiana (total population 635,000 estimate), are Overseas Departments of France. Each has a status similar to the metropolitan Departments, with prefects representing the central government and elected councils providing local legislative initiative. Although there is some demand for greater local autonomy, independence is not an overriding issue. The fourth area, St. Pierre and Miquelon Islands, is administered as an Overseas Territory and independence is not an issue for the approximately 5,700 citizens. Both the Netherlands Antilles and Surinam (total estimated population 520,000), are Equal Members of the Netherlands Realm. Each is autonomous in its internal affairs and has a voice in matters concerning the Netherlands' foreign affairs and defense. No major political party is actively advocating independence for either member. The attached chart shows the political status, population and immigrant visa quota for each area, together with the number of visas issued in 1957-66 and fiscal year 1966. Immigrant visa position of European associated areas and former possessions in the Western Hemisphere |