Chen’s US visa cancelled

**Dr.Dudd** · 02-26-2010, 01:26 PM

Re: Chen’s US visa cancelled

You tighten the screws where it hurts most, until you get your <span style="text-decoration: line-through"> don </span> man.
He is a big financier. and as it goes, the golden rule.
those who control the gold decide the rules. he has a lot of pull with the administration.
watch out for more of this.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chen’s US visa cancelled
Thursday, 25 February 2010

Wayne Chen.The United States (US) government has cancelled the visa of Wayne Chen, Chairman of the Urban Development Corporation.

Mr. Chen, <span style="font-weight: bold">Chief Executive Officer of SuperPlus supermarket chain,</span> was left in an embarrassing position Wednesday when he went to the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston to board a flight to the United States.

Mr. Chen, who was with his family, was informed by officials of the immigration department that his US visa had been cancelled.

When contacted by RJR News Thursday afternoon, Mr. Chen, confirmed that his US visa has been cancelled.

He said the US government has not given any reason for the cancellation.

<span style="font-weight: bold">However, he said the issue was being dealt with at the diplomatic level.</span>

</div></div>

**Dr.Dudd** · 02-26-2010, 01:33 PM

Re: Chen’s US visa cancelled

Baugh to meet US embassy representatives
2010-02-26 09:10:22 | (0 Comments)

Jamaica’s foreign affairs and foreign trade minister Dr. Kenneth Baugh is to meet with representatives of the United States embassy on Monday to discuss the decision to revoke the US visa for the chairman of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), Wayne Chen.

Dr. Baugh told The Gleaner/ Power 106 News that he met with the charge d’affaires at the embassy yesterday and will have a follow-up meeting on Monday morning on the issue.

In the meantime, Mr. Chen says he was not contacted by the US embassy prior to the actual revocation of the visa.

He was about to board a flight to the United States on Wednesday, when he found out his visa was no longer valid.

He said he was given no explanation and has no idea what would have led the US authorities to cancel his visa.

Mr. Chen says he has since met with the prime minister and spoken with the head of mission at the US embassy on the issue.

He’s now awaiting the outcome of discussions between the Jamaican and United States government.

Chen, an attorney-at-law is the proprietor of the Super Plus chain of food stores and the current president of the Jamaica Employers Federation (JEF).

**evanovitch** · 02-26-2010, 02:38 PM

Re: Chen’s US visa cancelled

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You tighten the screws where it hurts most, until you get your <span style="text-decoration: line-through"> don </span> man.
He is a big financier. and as it goes, the golden rule.
those who control the gold decide the rules. he has a lot of pull with the administration.
watch out for more of this.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chen’s US visa cancelled
Thursday, 25 February 2010

Wayne Chen.The United States (US) government has cancelled the visa of Wayne Chen, Chairman of the Urban Development Corporation.

Mr. Chen, <span style="font-weight: bold">Chief Executive Officer of SuperPlus supermarket chain,</span> was left in an embarrassing position Wednesday when he went to the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston to board a flight to the United States.

Mr. Chen, who was with his family, was informed by officials of the immigration department that his US visa had been cancelled.

When contacted by RJR News Thursday afternoon, Mr. Chen, confirmed that his US visa has been cancelled.

He said the US government has not given any reason for the cancellation.

<span style="font-weight: bold">However, he said the issue was being dealt with at the diplomatic level.</span>

</div></div> </div></div>

dis really funny fi tru...ah sah...dem cancel him visa tru di Don... dis is as funny as di continued reporting of supposed attempt to smear di big guy by invoking smuggling wid a one name ...

**Amberal37** · 02-26-2010, 04:58 PM

...This is why corruption is so pervasive...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

<span style="font-weight: bold">However, he said the issue was being dealt with at the diplomatic level.</span>

</div></div>

Why does the Ja government need to deal with a visa for him?? HE IS NOT TRAVELLING ON GOJ BUSINESS - in fact it was a private business deal according to my reading...THERE IS NO LIFE AT RISK, he is on home soil with no war situation, no special protection at stake...he should go through the means that the regulations dictate!!!

Suppose the embarassment of it makes him want to be more uppity about his "special government connections" !!

For god's sake - the Ja government should have their hands tied with sorting out the country!!! Let him pay lawyers to sort out his paperwork!

**Dr.Dudd** · 02-26-2010, 07:03 PM

Re: ...This is why corruption is so pervasive...

You miss the memo.
These people are <span style="font-weight: bold">the real government of Jamaica</span>.

The people in the official positions are just the tools they use to deflect the blame for whatever they order them to do.

He who pays the piper calls the tune, is not just words.

they have true meaning.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: karigeni</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

<span style="font-weight: bold">However, he said the issue was being dealt with at the diplomatic level.</span>

</div></div>

Why does the Ja government need to deal with a visa for him?? HE IS NOT TRAVELLING ON GOJ BUSINESS - in fact it was a private business deal according to my reading...THERE IS NO LIFE AT RISK, he is on home soil with no war situation, no special protection at stake...he should go through the means that the regulations dictate!!!

Suppose the embarassment of it makes him want to be more uppity about his "special government connections" !!

For god's sake - the Ja government should have their hands tied with sorting out the country!!! Let him pay lawyers to sort out his paperwork!

</div></div>

**Amberal37** · 02-26-2010, 09:15 PM

Re: ...This is why corruption is so pervasive...

I get your jist, and no - the point was not lost on me.

To succumb to these people's sense of superiority would be to always give them the upper hand.

It no longer is just the priviledged few that have the access to challenge such behaviour (indeed audacity), so best to call it out clear.

**Dr.Dudd** · 02-26-2010, 09:22 PM

Re: ...This is why corruption is so pervasive...

No longer??
since when??

When did the laws change that allow only private sources to fund elections?
and how did that happen without any change evident in the process of government??
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: karigeni</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I get your jist, and no - the point was not lost on me.

To succumb to these people's sense of superiority would be to always give them the upper hand.

It no longer is just the priviledged few that have the access to challenge such behaviour (indeed audacity), so best to call it out clear.
</div></div>

**Panajar** · 02-26-2010, 09:36 PM

Re: ...This is why corruption is so pervasive...

LOL likkle jamaica going to strong arm unkle sam to get back big man visa when they had the nerve to deny uncle sam extradition request this is a done deal unless it is a clerical error.

**Dyoll_73** · 02-27-2010, 12:36 AM

Re: ...This is why corruption is so pervasive...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: karigeni</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To succumb to these people's sense of superiority would be to always give them the upper hand.

It no longer is just the priviledged few that have the access to challenge such behaviour (indeed audacity), so best to call it out clear.</div></div>

Assuming the facts are as stated in the 'article' posted above, some sensationalism was mixed into the reporting which is not uncommon when a high profile person is the subject of the report. The report first identified Mr Chen as Chairman of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC)- a statutory body of the Government of Jamaica - and then as CEO of SuperPlus (his family-owned company).

While his family was reportedly with him at the airport, we are not told whether he was traveling in a personal, business capacity or whether he was traveling on official government business in his capacity as Chairman of the UDC. We do not know. And if it's the latter, it's not unusual for such individuals to take along family, hopefully their expenses are not charged to the public purse - hopefully. I don't know the exact details about the issuing of visas, but wouldn't he be issued some special visa in his capacity as Chairman of the UDC should the need for travel arise? And if this visa is cancelled, isn't it reasonable for an official of the Jamaican government to inquire as to why it was canceled?

We should reserve judgement until all the facts are in. Chen may be close to the PM, and he has a very influential brother, and yes, these will be played up, but things are not always what they seem. If anything, I would think these connections should have prevented his visa from being canceled in the first place.

We can't wait to 'stick it to the rich'.

**Amberal37** · 02-27-2010, 07:03 AM

Re: ...This is why corruption is so pervasive...

[b]
Indeed we only have news reports to work with, but according to another of these reports (either Observer or Gleaner reports yesterday)- he stated that he was meeting on retail projects that he has been working on for about four years.

The UDC, while a public body, is not a ministerial one - he is no elected or sovereign official of JA, these are facts – so he should not be confused with a diplomat. But I will again stick to simple language.

YES - it is UNREASONABLE for the JA government to enquire on his behalf – any more than they would for any ordinary civilian, and I mentioned in my first post what those reasons would entail. But additionally - America has their right to refuse any individual they wish from their soils.

How much effort would you expect Obama to put in, if Bill Gates was denied a visa by France for? (Although the media/public might do most of the grandstanding here) - Just coming to mind – indeed these sorts of things happen all the time in high-profile cases.

<span style="font-size: 11pt">Your statement “We can't wait to 'stick it to the rich'” is of no relevance to me. No doubt it shows you are uncomfortable with the scrutiny, but would prefer you not to project your preconceived notions in an attempt to devalue the points raised.[/</span>b]
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Humano</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: karigeni</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To succumb to these people's sense of superiority would be to always give them the upper hand.

It no longer is just the priviledged few that have the access to challenge such behaviour (indeed audacity), so best to call it out clear.</div></div>

Assuming the facts are as stated in the 'article' posted above, some sensationalism was mixed into the reporting which is not uncommon when a high profile person is the subject of the report. The report first identified Mr Chen as Chairman of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC)- a statutory body of the Government of Jamaica - and then as CEO of SuperPlus (his family-owned company).

While his family was reportedly with him at the airport, we are not told whether he was traveling in a personal, business capacity or whether he was traveling on official government business in his capacity as Chairman of the UDC. We do not know. And if it's the latter, it's not unusual for such individuals to take along family, hopefully their expenses are not charged to the public purse - hopefully. I don't know the exact details about the issuing of visas, but wouldn't he be issued some special visa in his capacity as Chairman of the UDC should the need for travel arise? And if this visa is cancelled, isn't it reasonable for an official of the Jamaican government to inquire as to why it was canceled?

We should reserve judgement until all the facts are in. Chen may be close to the PM, and he has a very influential brother, and yes, these will be played up, but things are not always what they seem. If anything, I would think these connections should have prevented his visa from being canceled in the first place.

We can't wait to 'stick it to the rich'.

</div></div>

**Dyoll_73** · 02-27-2010, 02:20 PM

Re: ...This is why corruption is so pervasive...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: karigeni</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The UDC, while a public body, is not a ministerial one - he is no elected or sovereign official of JA, these are facts – so he should not be confused with a diplomat.</div></div>

Straw man! I made sure I mentioned that the UDC is a statutory organization under the government of JA; I never said or implied that it was a government ministry, and furthermore, I never said or suggested that he might hold a diplomatic visa. While I'm not an expert on these matters, I think I know who can carry a diplomatic visa and I didn't think Chen would qualify as such. There are various categories of visas, and there could be some visa issued to certain heads of public sector bodies which would be below the category of a diplomatic visa. I'm not sure; just wondering.

So, fine, he was traveling on business, but it is still not inappropriate for an official of the government to inquire as why the visa was canceled, especially since Mr Chen is also the Chairman of a very important statutory organization. Sure, the US doesn't owe anyone an explanation for canceling a visa, but it doesn't mean that you can't ask about it.

My comment about "stick it to the rich" was simply based on your own words. I won't apologize for saying that. You say that I'm projecting my own preconceived notions, or whatever, which is laughable, since I was the one who said we should wait for the facts before we make judgments. I'm not sure what's up with you, but you were the one who spoke about "superiority" on the part of Mr Chen, which leads me to ask: do you know Mr Chen, personally?

Anyway, if I were Mr Chen, I'd be trying to find out why my visa was canceled, and I'd pursue the matter through any avenue open to me. I think if you were in Chen's position, you'd perhaps be doing the same thing too.

**Panajar** · 02-27-2010, 03:01 PM

Jeremy Chen has been charged with assault

<span style="font-size: 14pt">look like dem have the superiority complex like to beat poor people AND tink dem above the law
</span>

Alleged Super Plus beaters granted $500,000 bail each
published: Friday | January 27, 2006

Angelo Lawrence, Gleaner Writer

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

THE FIVE men, including senior management personnel, from the Super Plus Food Stores in Manchester, who were implicated in the alleged beating of two employees, have been granted bail.

The five - <span style="font-weight: bold">General Manager Jeremy Chen</span> and supervisors, Rayon Lindo, Garth Fagan, Fabian Foster and Ainsley Henry - were yesterday each granted bail in the sum of $500,000 each with one or two sureties, following an application in the Supreme Court.

The bail application was made by attorney-at-law Wentworth Charles before Mr. Justice Basil Reid.

ADDITIONAL CHARGES

The Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) objected to the bail, arguing that additional charges could be laid when it completes a probe into the case in which a gun was reported to have been used. But Justice Reid ruled that the men be granted bail. In addition, the men are to surrender their travel documents and report to the Mandeville Police Station weekly.

Last week, the five men were denied bail when they appeared before Resident Magistrate Maria Bishop in the Mandeville Resident Magistrate's Court. They are expected to return to that court on February 8.

Mr. Chen has been charged with assault, while the other men are charged with assault, unlawful wounding and abduction.

Eighteen-year-old Michael Sinclair of Knockpatrick and 20-year-old Renardo Dawes of New Green in the parish have been treated for injuries sustained in the beating.

The men were beaten after they were accused of stealing three cases of Guinness from the Park Crescent outlet of the supermarket.

The police said the workers were taken three quarters of a mile from the supermarket to a house in the parish where they were beaten.

SEE IT YAH

**Dyoll_73** · 02-27-2010, 03:42 PM

Chen's US visa canceled

So what's your agenda here?

Ok, no one should have to be beaten for stealing 3 cases of guiness, or for anything for that matter. Two wrongs - stealing and beating - don't make a right.

But you single out the guy with the name Chen. You do realize that assaults take place every other minute in Jamaica, and mostly by blacks against other blacks. But I'm guessing black on black violence doesn't concern you very much, if at all.

**evanovitch** · 02-27-2010, 04:25 PM

Chen's US visa saga

"WHILE NOT disclosing the circumstances which led the United States State Department to revoke the non-immigrant visa of businessman Wayne Chen, Patricia Attkisson, public affairs officer at the US Embassy, Kingston, explained yesterday that the cancellation of a visa is varied and usually based on something specific to the individual.
She further pointed out that it would be difficult for a traveller to independently check his visa status. The US Embassy public affairs officer, who was responding to a number of questions from The Gleaner related to visa issues, was unable to say if other business personnel or government officials' visas have been revoked.
"The US Embassy does not comment on specific visa issues," said Attkisson.
In the meantime, the Jamaican Government has begun seeking answers in relation to the revocation of Chen's visa."