Born on US Base in Germany, Deported to Jamaica: A US Citizen’s Case
Jermaine Thomas, born on a U.S. military base to a U.S. citizen father, was deported to Jamaica, a country he had never lived in. Despite his father’s citizenship, a court ruled that Thomas was not a U.S. citizen due to the location of his birth and his father not meeting the physical presence requirements at the time. Thomas was arrested in Texas, leading to his transfer to ICE and subsequent deportation to Jamaica, where he now faces homelessness and statelessness, lacking legal status and access to work. His family fears visiting him due to potential repercussions for their own immigration status, highlighting the tragic consequences of his complex citizenship status.
John Q. Hosedrinker