Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson Center shares a celebratory moment with 27 newly naturalized Jamaican citizens. | Photo Derrick Scott
First-ever ceremony of its kind on DC Embassy grounds marks historic milestone in diaspora engagement; ministers call citizenship a covenant of identity, responsibility, and national contribution
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson Center shares a celebratory moment with 27 newly naturalized Jamaican citizens. | Photo Derrick Scott
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C. hosted its inaugural Citizenship Ceremony on Friday, March 27. The event formally recognized 27 Jamaican nationals, including newly naturalized and those formalizing citizenship by descent.
The historic event, held at the Embassy brought together new and existing citizens alongside distinguished guests for an evening of formal recognition, ministerial addresses, and national reaffirmation.
Each recipient received an official letter of recognition from Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson. Additionally, each received a copy of the programme, marking their formal entry into renewed embrace of Jamaican citizenship.
Ambassador Anderson, who is also Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the OAS described the ceremony as a defining moment in the Embassy’s diaspora engagement mandate.
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson addresses the inaugural Citizenship Ceremony. | Photo Derrick Scott
“This is a historic moment one that marks a beginning and a belonging,” Ambassador Anderson told the gathering. “Welcome to the family.” He noted that the ceremony, the first of its kind at the Washington Mission, would become a recurring fixture of the Embassy’s calendar. “Welcome to the front row of history,” he said, “and this is not by any means the last.”
The ceremony had originally been planned for late 2025 but was postponed following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa. Ambassador Anderson said the Mission was resolute in ensuring the event proceeded. “We were not going to be deterred. This is very important. And we are resilient.”
“Citizenship is not granted lightly. It reflects both eligibility and trust. In accepting it, you assume a shared commitment to uphold the Constitution, to respect the rule of law, and to contribute to the stability and advancement of our society.”
Ministerial Remarks via Video
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Hon Horace Chang, addressed the new citizens with a message centred on constitutional duty and the obligations of national belonging.
“With citizenship comes full participation in national life,” Dr. Chang stated. “It means engaging responsibly, contributing constructively, and upholding the standards that sustain a secure and orderly society. Your actions, individually and collectively, will help to reinforce the values upon which this nation stands.”
The Deputy Prime Minister issued a direct charge to diaspora members among the new citizens:
“Whether you reside in Jamaica or across the diaspora, you now carry with you the identity and responsibility of being Jamaican. You are expected to act with integrity, to respect our institutions, and to contribute, in whatever way you can, to national development and cohesion.”
Claim to Jamaican Identity
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson presents 4-year-old Corey Webber Cummings Jamaica’s newest citizen with an official letter of recognition. Marking her formal entry into Jamaican citizenship. | Photo Derrick Scott
Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, has responsibility for Diaspora Affairs. He also addressed the ceremony by video and congratulated the recipients. He also pointed to a deepening global desire to claim Jamaican identity.
“Your decision to become Jamaican is both significant and symbolic,” Minister Terrelonge said. “It speaks to a growing global appreciation for Jamaica, not only as a place of culture and beauty, but as a nation with which people wish to build lasting ties and contribute meaningfully to its future.”
“We are, indeed, witnessing a steady increase in applications for Jamaican citizenship across our overseas Missions, particularly citizenship by descent. This is encouraging, as it signals the strengthening of generational bonds, second, third, and even fourth generation Jamaicans who continue to claim and celebrate their heritage.”
Increase in Citizenship Applications
That trend is borne out in the data. Ambassador Anderson reported that in 2025, Jamaicans across the United States filed 3,000 citizenship applications. This was a 25 percent increase over the prior year. It reflects a growing appreciation for the value of formal ties to the homeland.
Ambassador Anderson called on the newest citizens to translate belonging into tangible contributions.
“Citizenship gives you a place in that journey, a stake in the game,” he said. “It means you can contribute through investment, knowledge transfer, mentorship, and professional collaboration.” He reminded attendees that Jamaica’s diaspora, spanning healthcare, technology, education, finance, and the creative industries, remains one of the nation’s most valuable strategic assets. “Wherever you go, carry Jamaica with you: its values, its spirit, and its sense of possibility.”
The Embassy confirmed that the Citizenship Ceremony will become a regular feature of its annual programme. Plans are underway to expand the initiative to other regions of the United States, including the West Coast. The initiative forms part of the Government of Jamaica’s broader strategy to deepen structured engagement with its diaspora. Moreover, it seeks to strengthen national identity across generations, and facilitate greater participation in Jamaica’s development.
