The Tribune

THE Democratic National Alliance has promised that it will move to “clarify the status” of all people born in the Bahamas in “less than one year” if it is elected to office.

In a statement released by DNA Deputy Leader Christopher Mortimer at the weekend, the DNA said the perceived statelessness of people born in the country to foreigners is the fault of successive governments “to act lawfully or to enforce the laws.”

Mr Mortimer also criticised calls for investment by Haitian President Michel Martelly and stressed that the DNA cannot support the use of government resources or influence to help Haiti’s political and economic needs while the Bahamas’ own fiscal challenges have not been sufficiently addressed.

The comments were in response to remarks Mr Martelly made during a visit to New Providence last week.

On the controversial issue of naturalisation of people born in the Bahamas to foreign parents, Mr Mortimer said: “In less than one year of coming to office, the DNA will move to clarify the status of all persons born in the Bahamas. We do not support the notion that people born of non-Bahamians in the Bahamas are automatically stateless. Such individuals are made stateless only through the failure of successive government administrations to act lawfully or to enforce the laws.”

Immigration officials have said that children born in the Bahamas to Haitian parents are not “stateless” because under Haiti’s laws, they are eligible for citizenship at birth.

Under current laws, a person born in the Bahamas to non-Bahamian persons can only apply for Bahamian citizenship after their 18th birthday.

The DNA also took issue with Mr Martelly’s call for the Bahamian government to invest in northern Haiti as a means to stem illegal immigration.

Last Tuesday, Mr Martelly suggested that some of the money the government uses to secure its borders could be invested in Haiti to stem the flow of migrants from that country.

“The other day, I was talking to the Prime Minister (Perry Christie) and I heard him say he was investing about $200 million to protect the Bahamian coast to stop the boat people,” Mr Martelly said as he met with members of the Free National Movement in the Minority Room of the House of Assembly.

“I told him, ‘Why don’t we invest some of that money, or at least bring in some Bahamian investors, down to the north of Haiti where these people live who come here?’”

The Haitian president stressed that illegal Haitian immigrants come to the Bahamas looking for a better life.

However, he said, that did not mean that Haitians do not love their homeland.

“The DNA is not unsympathetic to the issues which plague Haiti,” said the statement.

“In fact, the DNA believes firmly in creating the type of relationship with Haiti that can prove to be mutually beneficial.

“We, therefore, commend Mr Martelly for attempting to solicit outside investments as a facilitator of growth and development in his country. His comments reflect the intent of a leader doing what he deems necessary to ensure that opportunities are created for his people.

“The DNA, however, cannot support the use of government resources or influence to address the political and economic concerns of another country, while here at home, sufficient steps have not been taken to address our own fiscal challenges. Our principal concern should be promoting the interests of the Bahamas and Bahamians.”

The statement said the best uses for the government’s investment dollars are Family Island development, improvements in education and workforce training.

Last Tuesday, Mr Christie and Mr Martelly signed a framework agreement for bilateral co-operation, an agreement for trade and technical co-operation in agriculture and fisheries and an agreement on the promotion and protection of investments.

The agreements are expected to bolster opportunities for economic development in Haiti through Bahamian investment in a bid to stem the flow of migrants illegally entering the Bahamas in search of jobs.

The signing followed trilateral talks on migration issues between the Bahamas, the Republic of Haiti and the Turks and Caicos Islands held at the Melia Hotel.