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Embassy in Kingston awaits ‘further guidance’ on visa edict
The United States Embassy in Kingston is awaiting “further guidance” from Washington following the decision by the American government to suspend the processing of immigrant visas in Jamaica and 74 other nations, a high-ranking source has revealed. The temporary pause takes effect on January 21, according to the US State Department, which announced the new directive yesterday. The source, who is not authorised to speak publicly, said Jamaicans already issued with an immigrant visa and booked to travel should not encounter any issues. “We are waiting for guidance now about what we do with appointments that are on the books, and also people who have already submitted their applications and are currently in processing,” the source told The Gleaner yesterday. “We don’t know what happens with visas that are currently in the pipeline but have not been issued yet.” Jamaicans with appointments up to January 21 should still turn up and “see what happens at that point”, the source suggested. “If they have an appointment on January 22, I would say there is no reason to come because any processing [of immigrant visas] is going to stop.” The processing of non-immigrant visas – which permit travel to the US for business and pleasure – will continue as usual. Immigrant visas account for a small percentage of travel authorisation processed by the US Embassy. However, the source acknowledged that the temporary pause in the processing of immigrant visas would have a “huge impact” on Jamaicans waiting in line to migrate to the US. “The biggest impact is that people who had complete plans to immigrate, particularly if they were planning to do it in relatively short time, this puts a pause on all of those plans,” the source said. “There are some people who were planning to travel for health reasons; you know, for a variety of reasons they had worked out to be able to join family or to emigrate to the United States, and that is all on hold,” the source said. The Jamaican Government was also in a wait-and-see posture following yesterday’s announcement. Jamaica’s Foreign Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith disclosed in a message posted on social media yesterday that her office was “seeking verification and clarification”. She later posted, “I have confirmed that there is in fact a pause in the issuance of US immigrant visa applications from nationals of certain countries, including Jamaica. I repeat that this relates to immigrant visas only (persons seeking to live permanently in the US). This does not affect applications for regular tourist visas, student visas, business visas or visas [that are] part of seasonal work programmes (farm work and hospitality), which continue to be processed by the US Embassy in Kingston.” Johnson Smith added: “While detailed information is not available, I am advised that the US Embassy will provide such further clarity as they are able. I encourage persons with individual/family processes under way and who have specific questions, to use their usual platforms and channels to seek updates.”
Reggae and Dancehall Top 15
The year 2025 was a mixed bag musically. It appeared that dancehall was the predominant genre and reggae was lagging behind. It was much easier to have dialogue with selectors who could easily list out the top 15, or 20 or even 25 songs that ruled the dancehall, than it was to find those who could pull out a list of top reggae songs. Here is a list of the top reggae and dancehall songs for 2025 compiled primarily with the invaluable assistance of the year-to-year entertainment analyst, Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards. For 2025, the panellists for our Year in Review 2025 included Edwards, Delano ‘3D’ Thomas, DJ Tom of Leggo di Streets and Claude Mills. 1. Shake It to the Max Remix - Moliy featuring Skillibeng and Shenseea (A major anthem powered by Afrobeats.) 2. Whites - Masicka 3. WYFL - Skippa and DJ Mac (Another banger that showed dominance in 2025 although it came out in the second half of the year.) 4. NY Girls - Chronic Law (Definitely a hit in the parties.) 5. Passenger Princess - Valiant (A top song.) 6. God is the Greatest - Vybz Kartel 7. Rich Sex - Masicka 8. Weh Yo Deh Pan - Govana and Ayetian 9. Kick it With Myself - Popcaan and Chronic Law 10. Tip - Ayetian 11. Time - Jamal 12. Options - Nigy Boy 13. Big Guns - Mavado 14. Romantic - Lila Iké feat Masicka 15. Make it - Mojo Morgan feat Popcaan , Chronic Law, Pablo YG (Co-produced by Ja for Life and Contractor Music)
Lila Ike tops the New York Reggae chart
All Over the World, a track from Lila Ike’s Grammy-nominated album Treasure Self Love, which features Protoje, has taken over the #1 spot on the New York Reggae chart. The track, which was released last August, was co-produced by Protoje. Its official video has racked up more than 1.2 million views on YouTube. And still on the New York Reggae chart, Ask The Question by veteran deejay Peter Metro, Althea Hewitt, and Scaramooch moves up from #24 to #20, while Shaggy’s Boom Body featuring Akon and Aidonia enters at #29. A Chance on Love by veteran singer Leroy Sibbles débuts at #30. On the South Florida Reggae chart, a remake of Pitta Patta by Ernie Smith and Ed Robinson, which was produced by Mr Vegas, spends a second week at #1. Alborosie darts from #6 to #3 with Trench Town Legend, Fire by Mary Isaacs steps up to #5, and Conscious Vibes by Busy Signal moves from #24 to #22. Reggae and dancehall music fans in Canada have a new outlet to gauge the hottest songs in that country, as veteran singer/producer Tony Anthony’s Reggae North Canada Top 20 chart, has made its debut. The first chart opens with Rescue Me by Jamaican-born gospel/reggae singer Sone G in the #1 position, while More Reggae by Samora and Ammoye is #2. At #3 is How Sweet It Is by Jah Cutta, whil The Fire Inside by Jasmin Headley, Richie Stephens, and Bounty Killer holds down the #4 position. Show Us the Way by Tasha T, Mel Dube, and Kandace Kash is #5. On the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, Bob Marley and the Wailers lead the pack for a 313th week at #1 with Legend. Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection by Shaggy sits at #2, while Dutty Classics Collection by Sean Paul re-visits familiar territory at #3. World on Fire by Stick Figure, Dutty Rock by Sean Paul, and Greatest Hits by UB40 are #s 4, 5 and 6. Wisdom by Stick Figure slips to #7, while their Set In Stone sits at #8. Damian Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock re-enters at #9 and Exodus by Bob Marley and the Wailers slips down to #10.