By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
CONFUSION over the implications of proposed changes to immigration policies has the Haitian-Bahamian community in a “frenzy”, according to a local activist.
Louby Georges, a spokesman for the Haitian-Bahamian community, charged that the government was “half-stepping” with the policy changes, adding that the new restrictions were discriminatory, unclear, and overlooked children.
The proposed changes were announced last week by Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell in the House of Assembly.
The activist called for a stiffening of penalties for persons who facilitate illegal immigration.
“We don’t have a problem with the work permit regulations,” Mr Georges said, “as a way to try and deal with the illegal immigration problem.
“We commend Mr Mitchell for taking this bold step in that regard, but it’s half stepping, it’s discriminatory, because it seems to be a Haitian immigration policy — it should be a policy across the board.”
He said: “We have been crying asking for the kids to have a permanent resident stamp in their Haitian passport, if you are in the country legally you need to do stuff.
“But all kids should get it, not just if your parents have legal status. All kids who are born here should get it. You are denying some people, and giving some people an opportunity, we don’t want the discrimination to be a part of it. It should be the same across the board.”
According to the new restrictions, as of November 1, the government aims to have employers who are applying for first-time work permit holders who are residents of Haiti to come to the Department of Immigration and pay the $100 processing fee, provide a labour certificate, cover letter, stamp tax of $30 and the employee information sheet in Nassau.
It also will be mandatory for all persons living in the Bahamas to have a passport of their nationality.
Mr Mitchell explained that persons born in the Bahamas will be granted a special residence permit that will allow them to work until the status of their citizenship application has been determined.
“I also wish to announce that we will as of November 1 require all persons who live in the Bahamas to have a passport of the country of their nationality,” Mr Mitchell said last week. “Those people who have been born here will get a particular residence permit which will allow them to work and live here until such time as their status pursuant to any application under the terms of the Constitution is decided.
“This will also allow access of children to school,” the Fox Hill MP added. “This will not apply to the children of those who are here illegally. The Haitian president and the ambassador have confirmed that they will be able to meet the demand for these passports.”
Mr Georges said that while he is aware of the international conventions that mandate access to education for all children in the Bahamas, Mr Mitchell’s wording implied that some children may have difficulty.
He explained that policy specifically targeting Haitian migrants encouraged an unfair perception that they were the only nationality that illegally entered the country.
“He just made it worse,” Mr Georges said yesterday. “You have people like myself who are patriotic Bahamians, but I’m the only Bahamian in my family. I’m still attached to the Haitian community and there are thousands who are Bahamian, but are directly attached to that community.”
“When our government comes out and targets one group of people, you’re continuing the stigma, pushing this ‘you against us’ mentality,” he added.
Last Wednesday, Mr Mitchell also announced the consideration of a ban on people who have previously entered the Bahamas illegally and have been deported from ever obtaining legal status.
Comments
TalRussell 10 years, 1 month ago
Seems the Guardian talk radio's nightly creole program host Comrade Louby, is spreading his wings as an influential commentator for the Tribune.
jackbnimble 10 years, 1 month ago
“But all kids should get it, not just if your parents have legal status. All kids who are born here should get it."
Well, blow me down! Isn't this why we have this problem in the first place?" Because the children of illegals are the ones who now asserting the most rights.
If you enter the country ILLEGALLY how it is that because you have a kid in the country where you are breaking the law, that entitles you to anything? Clearly these people are deluded.... although I do agree that the policy should apply to ALL illegals not just the Haitians.
SP 10 years, 1 month ago
NO ONE that entered the country illegally or their children should be given ANY PRIVILEGES whatsoever.
Too many damn illegal Haitians and others are riding us like jackass's and displacing Bahamian adults and children from jobs, healthcare and education.
Get ALL their ass's out!
TheMadHatter 10 years, 1 month ago
Mr. Georges is obviously unaware that we have a Haitian migrant problem in the Bahamas.
The Bahamas Govt should allocate ONE of our islands to the Haitians and move ALL of them there.
TheMadHatter
empathy 10 years, 1 month ago
Yeah, it's called "Hispaniola"
jackbnimble 10 years, 1 month ago
Yes he's aware! But like all the rest he chooses to ignore it. It's called A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT'
SP 10 years, 1 month ago
HELL NO.......No country GIVES away land to foreign invaders. You want to create a country with-in a country that will only lead to civil war down the road for control of both.
Dominican Republic has set the right precedence with their Haitian invasion problem......Kick ALL THEIR ASS'S OUT!
killemwitdakno 10 years, 1 month ago
They already got one, the Turks.
DEDDIE 10 years, 1 month ago
Its a short term solution that have long term consequences. A child of an illegal is still entitled to citizenship after he turns 18 years. If he is deny an education your problem would be a dumb child turning 18 entitled to citizenship. The new policy will not stop Haitians from coming to The Bahamas.They don't come for papers or for their children to be born here, they come because they could make 180 dollars a week rather than making nothing in Haiti. Until the government could properly police our borders and address the ability for them to make money here, everything else is a smoke screen.
asiseeit 10 years, 1 month ago
There need to be VERY stiff fines for those that hire illegal's. In the construction sector the lead contractor should be held accountable for any illegals on site and fine them HARD if any are caught. Take away the monetary gain that has been the incentive to hire illegals. If they knew that they would be fined $10,000 for each illegal found on the job, the contractor would think twice about hiring that illegal and would not let any on the job site. Problem solved, it is not rocket science, it is about the almighty dollar. The politician, of all people, should understand this concept. Yinna like money, RIGHT?
Andrewharris 10 years, 1 month ago
Matthew 19:14 'But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven' We are a 'Christian' country..... remember?
TheMadHatter 10 years, 1 month ago
Andre - it is not right that Haitians should have 7 children and we can only afford to have and raise 2 per family. Then on top of that we have to pay to help them raise their extra 5.
TheMadHatter
jackbnimble 10 years, 1 month ago
Sweetheart, you are taking the sacred scripture out of context. Jesus said suffer the little children to come into Him. That DOES NOT translate into suffer the little children to enter another man's country ILLEGALLY for a free education and health care without paying a darned cent in taxes!
SP 10 years, 1 month ago
Being Christian has nothing to do with being jackass's! Haitians have PROVEN their allegiance is to Haiti...Not the Bahamas.
They want a separate culture, language, independent economy and have no respect for our country & laws.
Get their ass's out!
empathy 10 years, 1 month ago
I agree: "Police the borders", difficult to do. "Substantial fines to employers" and enablers are both great ideas. These new Immigration actions are a first step, probably in response to the heavy Tax burden being heaped on the Bahamian populace, including more to come.
We can't continue this merry go round, providing social services to an ever growing population with no planning to support it. Yes automatically granting citizenship because you're "born here" is just plain stupid for a tiny country with a small population. It is just as silly as the US- Cuban wet foot/ dry foot policy! Yes it's crazy to make these same "citizens" wait until they're 18 to "apply" for their citizenship, it seems Schizophrenic to me: "you can be a citizen, but may be 'not'"?!
These first step policies will no doubt cause confusion and problems, like the proverbial dominoes, they've been released......or may be not: this apparently is the time to make comments and suggestions, so make them. However government needs to make certain concepts clear, if they want to fix the problems as Bahamians see them. We are tired of being the proverbial donkey, we've stood up (straightened our backs) so we can't be ridden any more (freely or otherwise) by anyone, Haitian etc etc etc: no discrimination, just friggin fed up of this crap!
bismark 10 years, 1 month ago
Haitians will continue to come here as long as they could get the slackness they are used to getting in this country and nowhere else,they don't want to pay for anything they don't shop in stores hardly,they don't pay light, water or any utilities if any of them do it is a small minority,but I do know what they do with the money they have made in this country that is send it back to Haiti,we cannot continue to allow these people to bleed us dry,we must enact laws to keep them from over running this country,this is the Bahamas not Haiti,we must preserve our country for our children,so Mr Minister I applaud you in these new laws.
lucaya 10 years, 1 month ago
There is no such thing as Haitian- Bahamian...
cooperrs47 10 years, 1 month ago
In addition to being hateful, many of the comments are just ignorant! Imagine if the many other countries where Bahamians are enjoying status (legal or otherwise), were to express the same level of hate and discriminatory actions towards us. Remember that the world is watching! How many of you remember when the then Minister of Finance, Hon. Carlton Francis was subjected to a strip search, by the Americans, in the Miami International Airport?
SP 10 years, 1 month ago
If Bahamians entered another country illegally, undermined law enforcement, abused their health care, education and social services...THEY TOO should be rounded up and deported back to the Bahamas.
Get the dam illegal Haitian parasites OUT OF MY COUNTRY!
asiseeit 10 years, 1 month ago
Not hateful, just pissed off that these people come to our country and TAKE us for a ride. They build where ever and whatever they want (the mud), they steal electricity, they abuse our health care and schools, and to top it off the disrespect the Bahamas at all turns. These are but a few of the "problems" The Haitian immigrants bring with them. This country is BROKE, we can not afford to look after our own much less a LARGE community of law breaking, disrespectful, freeloaders. They always brag about how much better Haiti is to the Bahamas, well my brother why in the hell are you here?
Sickened 10 years, 1 month ago
What we need to do is figure out a number of illegals that the Bahamas can sensibly handle. Say 20,000. Somehow get the approval of the United Nations that yes, based on the size of your country, your population and your income 20,000 is accurate. Then we document the first 20,000 based on certain criteria, such as amount of time living in The Bahamas, dependents living here and how much they contribute to the country. Once we reach our 20,000 then all others illegal immigrants are rounded up, turned away and dealt with with extreme prejudice. Advise the world and especially Haiti that we have done our part and will no longer tolerate the entry of illegal immigrants. Anyone caught will be put in a detention centre and will do hard labour until either that person earns their release or the person's family pays fully for their release. Haitian sloops will not be allowed to enter our waters and will be turned around and will not get any assistance for their return journey. If immigrants take the risk of coming by boat that risk is there's and there's alone. If you die at sea then may your soul rest in peace: kudos for trying.
Our little country can only absorb so much. We are doing our part. If illegals continue to come then you must be punished and punished hard so that they and all they know will never try to come illegally again.
We are very literally being invaded and at some point we MUST declare war on the invasion. Let us stop it now!! Why wait until there are 100,000 invaders or 200,000. Put generous and kind policies in place but with the harshest possible penalties.
TalRussell 10 years, 1 month ago
Comrades while the people slept Bahamaland became a nation where you can run your numbers and still cozy up with politicians - with MP's from both sides of the Honourable Peoples House of Assembly - and sit back while breaking our criminal laws and wait to become 'socially acceptable regularized.' Where a female can arrive here illegally, work for years under the radar of the immigration laws and then have children with your fellow also here and working illegally - then 18 plus years later Bahamaland is suppose to reward your law breaking by recognizing your children with our nation's highest "privileges" citizenship and passports. You have taken over to the extent that Guardian radio decides to dedicate their prime hours of night time programming - 5 days every damn week - exclusively to some creole speaking talk show. Not only that but they bombard listeners with their station's creole spot ads all damn day promoting it . Minister Freddy I like you but if only you would spend more time dealing with the illegal immigration problems as you do with the numbers "regularization"and with thinking you have answer back the annoying Preacherman Myles each and every time he decides use the talk radio and print media to offer his criticisms of your support for LGBT issues. We hear and ready a damn lot about why we it is Bahalanders who need learn practicing how we need fall in step with the Haitian way of thinking? And, on that closing soar note, you can kiss my ass waiting for for a Hen to start crowing like a Rooster, before this Comrade will be seen dancing to your forced own my throat Haitian beat.
Hogfish 10 years, 1 month ago
a Bahamian goes to the USA illegally and gets caught they throw his ass back home and he is barred from the States for many years and forget about him trying to become a US citizen.
I have zero respect for Mitchel, i think he's one of the worst of that bunch but I found the message pretty clear and for once he's talking sense. No where did he say that only haitians are targeted. ANY ILLEGAL and that inlcudes white, red, yella, and black is not welcome and if caught will never be considered for citizenship. That's a good move! , just i have zero confidence of it being enforced. Of course the haitians make up the VAST majority of illegals so it will of course have the biggest effect on them. Then you get this loupy Joenser crying discrimination. Which by logic he is then admitting that most of the illegals here are his countrymen and breaking the law!
TalRussell 10 years, 1 month ago
Comrade Hoffish it has nothing to do with Haitians being signaled out for any other reason than the most conservative estimates have put the number at 100,000 to 150,000 Haitians in Bahamaland. I would like see our government enforce the immigration laws and polices already sufficient on the books, before we go talking about enacting some new laws. I see that as passing the buck. The Guardian's radio station either has a Haitian political agenda (if so they sure as hell ain't hiding it) or their marketing people think it's good advertisers dollars sense to be dedicating broadcasting 3 hours night, 5 days week to attract Creole speaking listeners'? Thankfully, we are as yet reading the Tribune's story in the Haitian Creole language.
DEDDIE 10 years, 1 month ago
Its a myth that Haitian don't pay taxes or maybe when they are in Super Value they pay a price minus custom duties. Its also a myth that all the money they make is send to Haiti. A teller told me awhile back that their biggest savers are Haitians. It is said that 85% of the Bahamian populace have less that 1000 dollars in the bank. I thought the government made a mistake by buying expensive boats rather than planes. To properly patrol the Bahamas all you need is about 5 cessna planes that would have cost 2.5 million dollars. Position those planes along the islands with about 10 go fast boats strategically place. Once a plane spots a boat, the Defence Force can be dispatched arriving in 30 minutes.You will not stop all immigrants or poachers but you will definitely see a vast reduction.
TalRussell 10 years, 1 month ago
Comrade Deddie all these millions being spent on more defense force boats while the immigration buses we taxpayers have already paid for or borrowed monies to buy, sit parked?
concernedcitizen 10 years, 1 month ago
ALL OF THIS IS NONSENSE ,,WE HAVE BEEN SELLING WORK PERMITS SINCE 1973 ,,EVERY POLITICAL GENERAL GOT 10 TO 20 FARM LABOUR PERMITS THAT HAVE TO 'KICK UP " TO THEM ..GIVE ME 10 GRAND AND I,LL GET YOU 4 PERMITS BEFORE CHRISTMAS ,,,THE SAME 200 MILLION BEING SPENT NOW ON BOATS IN 10 YEARS ONLY A COUPLE WILL BE RUNNING ,,QUITE THE NONSENSE WE LIKE SLACKNESS AND WE LAZY ,,WE SURVIVE B/C WE ARE CLOSE TO A BIG MARKET TO DRAW TOURIST FROM AND FOREIGN COMPANIES BUILD AND RUN THE HOTELS ,,WHEN CUBA OPENS OUR CUT HIP STARTS ,,
iamcitizen 10 years, 1 month ago
This is obviously a most emotive issue evidenced by the previous commentary. You would all do well to muffle the growing hysteria. The Haitians are our brothers who have been coming here, settling and assimilating for centuries: the Benjamins, Dillets, Eneas, Perpall, DeStoop-Munnings, Theophilus, Duvalier, Poitier, Bonimy and yes, the Mitchells as in Fred.
The problems we are now having with all illegal immigrants in The Bahamas is the extent to which it has been facilitated by corrupt politicians and public officers who have been failing the Bahamian public for ages in all arrears of governance.
These politicians and public officers have been continually propped up by citizens looking the other way and accepting their corruption and aiding, abetting and profiting from same depending on their political colors.
The painful fact of the matter is: WE ARE THE PROBLEM! NOT THE HAITIANS. IT'S US. WE CONTINUE TO ALLOW THESE POLITICIANS, PASTORS AND PUBLIC OFFICERS TO RUIN OUR BAHAMALAND. AND YES, WE CONTINUE TO BE PLAYED AND PREYED UPON BY THEM.
EVERY TIME THE GOVERNMENT'S IN TROUBLE THEY TROT OUT THE "HAITIAN" PROBLEM TO DISTRACT US FROM THEIR FAILINGS. DO NOT BE DISTRACTED. LET US FOCUS ON RIDDING OURSELVES OF THIS CROP OF POLITICIANS, WHEREVER THEY APPEAR…NO MATTER WHAT COLORS THEY HAPPEN TO BE WEARING.
SP 10 years, 1 month ago
AMEN!
TalRussell 10 years, 1 month ago
Obviously, Comrades the fact that communications with listeners and callers are being conducted some say 90% in creole Haitian language, there is no way of knowing what is being said? The owners of Guardian radio should not hold a license to turn over 5 nights of programming to another language. Maybe this is not an issue under the issuing of radio stations broadcasting license. You tell me?
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