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THURSDAY APRIL 16, 2026
FL DRIVER’S LICENSE TO SHOW
CITIZENSHIP STATUS Florida to add citizenship status to driver’s licenses under new law Driver’s licenses and identification cards issued in Florida will begin displaying the legal immigration status of holders starting January 1, 2027, under new legislation signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as part of a sweeping election security package. continues on A8 – Citizenship Status DeSantis
Minister Bartlett credits diaspora as Jamaica surpasses 1 million visitors after Hurricane Melissa Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has credited the Jamaican diaspora as one of the country’s most influential ambassadors, while announcing that the island welcomed more than one million visitors and earned US$956 million in foreign exchange during the first quarter of 2026 — just five months after the disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa. Bartlett delivered the update during an address to members of the Jamaican diaspora at the Embassy of Jamaica on April 8, where
Bartlett
he praised the role of overseas Jamaicans in supporting the country’s rapid tourism recovery. Speaking before Jamaican professionals, community leaders, and friends of Jamaica in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area — home to more than 38,000 Jamaicans — Bartlett described the rebound as “resilience in action” and urged diaspora members to continue promoting Jamaica globally. “Before a traveler ever books a ticket, before they see a brochure or a campaign, they
often hear about Jamaica through you,” Bartlett told the gathering. “You are among our most powerful ambassadors, and I mean that in the most literal sense.” The tourism minister noted that Jamaica’s strong first-quarter performance followed months of recovery after Hurricane Melissa, which impacted the island late last year. He said the continued support and advocacy from Jamaicans abroad helped prevent negative continues on B4 – 1 million visitors
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E
NEWSMAKER Beres Hammond honored with Love & Harmony Cruise Lifetime Achievement Award a3
STRICTLY LEGAL New York AG leads push to protect legal status of Haitian TPS holders B1
ENTERTAINMENT Minister Marion Hall baptizes ve at sea on Love & Harmony Cruise B5
SPORTS Messi sued over missed Miami friendly, $7M contract dispute B7