The lead story in last Thursday's STAR told the tale of a returning resident who had been robbed three times. The story also said the man was considering moving away and was regretting his decision to open a business in Jamaica.

This man's story is not strange. Many people who return to Jamaica often regret their decision and several of those who have migrated swear that they will never return. This man was robbed of over one million dollars and is now under immense financial pressure. But this is not all. He was robbed twice before, once when his home was broken into and then again when a store he operated was robbed.

The authorities are always quick to encourage Jamaicans to return home, and some people look down on those who say they will never return. But can we really blame them? Who would want to return to a place where even elderly people are being robbed and killed? What many fail to recognise is that many of these migrants would want to return home. Many are quick to admit that there is no place like home, but they are simply afraid.

The images that are broadcast overseas are enough to turn away anyone and very often friends and relatives return with horror stories that would keep anyone away. Instead of stressing that people need to return home, the authorities need to do more to protect tourists, visitors and returnees.