The Tribune

MARIO Cartwright, DNA spokesperson on foreign affairs and immigration, called on the government to put forward a clear plan to deal with the “growing illegal immigration problem”.

In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Cartwright, who was the party’s candidate for Long Island in the 2012 general election, also asked the government to state its position on Haitian shanty towns.

“How will the government reduce the illegal Haitian immigration problem that has plagued this country for years?” Mr Cartwright asked. “Illegal immigrants continue to burden our public resources such as the Princess Margaret Hospital and the public school system. They benefit from our public services, yet they pay little or no taxes.

“How is it that boat-loads of illegal Haitian immigrants continue to slip by Defence Force vessels and Bahamian police, and land successfully on the shores of New Providence and other islands in our archipelago? This concern has been happening for years and it seems that neither the FNM nor PLP has the solution.”

Claiming the Bahamas is “losing its unique cultural identity” due to the influx of foreigners, Mr Cartwright said Bahamians will soon be an endangered species and must reclaim their country before it is too late.

DNA leader Branville McCartney also chimed in on the matter, encouraging the Christie administration to amend the Immigration Act to make harbouring illegals an offence.

Mr McCartney said he put this suggestion to the FNM government when he was Minister of State for Immigration, but it was flatly rejected.

He said creating such an offence would lead to the prosecution of anyone who hires or rents homes to illegals.

Mr McCartney said that he hopes this administration will “get it right” on the issue of illegal immigration.