Dr. Jagdeo Responds to Protests on U.S. Immigration Policies Regarding Melissa Atwell

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo asserts that the detention of activist Melissa Atwell falls under U.S. jurisdiction, urging opposition protests to target the U.S. government. He clarified that the Guyanese government has no control over U.S. immigration policies and Ms. Atwell’s case. Acknowledging her claim of U.S. citizenship, he described the situation as unusual and confirmed her upcoming immigration court hearing.

On Thursday, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo advised the opposition to direct their protests against the U.S. government regarding the detention of social media activist Melissa Atwell. During a response to protests at the Square of the Revolution, he emphasized that immigration matters are under U.S. jurisdiction and not influenced by the Guyanese government.

Dr. Jagdeo defended the Guyanese administration from accusations of influencing U.S. immigration policies, stating these were primarily propagated by anti-PPP individuals. He firmly stated that criticism of U.S. policies should be directed toward the U.S. government itself rather than the PPP.

He clarified that whether Ms. Atwell remains in the U.S. or returns to Guyana is solely a decision for the U.S. authorities. Dr. Jagdeo conveyed, “If she stays there, we wish her well. If she comes home, she is welcomed as a Guyanese citizen.”

Furthermore, the Vice President commented on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) process, explaining that detentions are typically for immigration issues. He acknowledged Atwell’s claim of U.S. citizenship, though he noted the atypical nature of such situations.

Atwell is set to appear before a U.S. Immigration Judge on March 28, after a previous hearing date change. Currently, she is detained in Louisiana following her arrest in New York.

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo underscored that the question of Melissa Atwell’s detention must be addressed to U.S. authorities, emphasizing the autonomy of U.S. immigration policies. It is vital for protests regarding these issues to be directed at the appropriate governmental body, ensuring that the context remains clear. Additionally, he affirmed that the Guyanese government does not wield influence over individual cases in U.S. immigration matters.

Original Source: newsroom.gy