DNA leader Branville McCartney.
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday chastised the Department of Immigration for a recent unexplained raid at his home that he felt was politically motivated.
Mr McCartney, former minister of state for immigration, told The Tribune he has yet to receive an explanation from the department on why three officers inspected his premises and then later denied they entered his yard.
He said the officers barged their way onto his property in a disrespectful manner two weeks ago, and threatened to use their weapons when warned about his guard dogs.
“You got all these places, you got shanty towns that are still standing,” he said.
“You know where the illegality is happening and you come to a former minister’s house, one who is pro-enforcement? It can only be political. These guys know the time is counting down for them, tick-tock-tick-tock.”
“They are very fortunate that my dogs were not out at the time. The guy who was there told them (the officers) to be careful and they just pointed at their weapons.”
“I go through the channels if I wish to have persons come to work for me or my businesses,” the former Bamboo Town MP added. “Why would they come to my house, knowing that if I have persons working for me, that I have made applications to the Immigration Department and I got necessary approvals or disapprovals? It seems to be political.”
Mr McCartney said he was not at home at the time of the alleged search, but was called by his oldest daughter because she was concerned by the presence of so many officers.
When he called the department, Mr McCartney said he was told by Kirkland Neely, the officer-in-charge of the Immigration Enforcement Unit, that the officers did not go into his yard.
He pointed out that during the previous Ingraham administration, current Minister of Immigration Fred Mitchell was a harsh critic. Mr McCartney said he was disappointed by the incident, adding that Mr Mitchell was the last person that should be engaging in political victimisation.
“I wanted to find out what the problem was, if there was concern, and they said that they were not there. I find it a bit amazing that they would not be truthful and I have them on camera. They went all around my house, my pool.”
“I’ve been speaking heavily about the Progressive Liberal Party and their policies. I’m very disappointed that something like that would happen and I would hate to believe that it’s political, but I can only assume that it is.”
He added: “If they had a concern, they could call me, my people who work on my property told them that, and they didn’t (call) they just came through.”
Comments
Publius 9 years, 2 months ago
Ohh okay Branville. So when the government plays political games regarding Haitian nationals, you praise it. But now that they make a move with respect to your Filipino immigrants, it's a problem. Notice what he said? He questioned why authorities would come to a former Minister's house to do checks. What is he suggesting? That being part of the political class is supposed to automatically make you exempt from the law? Ministers can and do break laws too last time I checked. This is the same government that has been using Haitian migration as a political tool and Branville has no problems with that (after all, he did it too when he was in office), so it is what it is. The search may have been politically motivated or it may not have been, but Branville knows quite well that he really shouldn't cry too loudly on this specific matter.
Emac 9 years, 2 months ago
It is nice to see Branville's angry face rather than that childish 'smirky' smile he always wear. I do agree with Publius to an extent. However, procedures still need to be followed. We know the immigration department of the Bahamas does not necessarily follow procedures. But Branville is 100% correct. These officers do know where the shanty towns and the illegals are, yet they have time to snoop around people houses who have legitimate, legal workers. Oh, and by the way, as bad as this may sound, Filipinos don't go round building make-shift houses on other people's property and shitting here and there.
BoopaDoop 9 years, 2 months ago
I don't have a problem with inspections if there is suspicion. I don't think there was suspicion in this case. Immigration will create a bad image if they plan to show their weapons and lie about not entering a private property with video proof confirming otherwise.
Perhaps not all Haitians live in shanty towns but I have never heard of any other nationality doing the same. Latinos and Filipinos pay rent and utilities contributing to the economy.
Sickened 9 years, 2 months ago
There is a good chance that Kirkland Neely didn't know about the immigration raid and that the three officers were on a 'special assignment'.
TruePeople 9 years, 2 months ago
Ok, first of all Haitians aren't the only people who live in 'shanty towns'. Second, it's good for proponents of such 'raids' know what it feels like to be on the other side of it.
Fact: Freddy's been threatening 'investigations' into people he disagrees with so, it would seem like he's making good on his suggestions.
Fiction: Former ministers are above the law and investigation, and all criminals can be found in shanty towns (or everyone who lives there is a criminal, whatever way you want to put that).
jackbnimble 9 years, 2 months ago
I feel that he was intentionally targeted probably to create a headline that he 's being hypocritical by criticizing the Government's policies on Immigration while he himself employs illegals. Further, they have been a witch hunt against Minnis and Butler Turner and now him. Common denominator: they are all in Opposition and have a chance to dethrone the Government. It's time all these opposition parties wake up. We are in election season baby and the gloves are off!.
My2cents 9 years, 2 months ago
Are there not enough unskilled, D average grads to fill Mr. Mccartney's domestic needs?
Even if he's not exposed as an illegal employer, he's still been exposed as a part of the wider immigration problem and a hypocrite. And to think, if he had not brought it to the public's attention, the masses would be none the wiser.
It must be true what they say about his ego...even his adversaries are using it against him. Then again, the officers could have been acting independently, based on a tip and he could be messing with himself.
Zakary 9 years, 2 months ago
And to think, if he had not brought it to the public's attention, the masses would be none the wiser.
Perhaps he's a tad bit too green. He has the freedom of choosing his own battles in the press but he really couldn't help himself on this one.
Wideawake 9 years, 2 months ago
Agreed. He would be better off with an all-Bahamian staff!
Bahamianpride 9 years, 2 months ago
Myzcents absolutely agree with your statement... Bran's exposed and his Narcissism runs so deep that he doesn't realize the more he talks the worse he looks.
Emac 9 years, 2 months ago
Come to think of it, why is Bran even bringing the DNA in this??? He is a lawyer, shouldn't he approach this as an independent individual rather than the leader of the DNA? After all the officers went to his home looking whatever, they didn't go to the DNA office. I guess some would say because he is being targeted as the leader who spoke out against policies of the PLP. To me that does not hold water. And MyzCents is correct, why does he have foreign workers when he himself profess to be a believer of putting Bahamians first??? Friggin hypocrite-Typical politician!
asiseeit 9 years, 2 months ago
Here is your explanation, it is getting to be election season and the PLP is desperate. The PLP will do anything to win and this is but an opening salvo. The corrupt PLP knows that they will be investigated if they lose the election so hold on tight, they will be nasty, I would not doubt they let loose their goon squads.
Wideawake 9 years, 2 months ago
They have much, too much to lose....to lose!!
NoOneIsAboveTheLaw 9 years, 2 months ago
So Bran think he special ay because he a politician...This the same reason why this country is so corrupt right now! There is a reason why these shanty town still exist because these same politicians need them for distraction while they cripple the country!
TalRussell 9 years, 2 months ago
Comrade Bran's account of "armed" immigration officers entering onto his property is both disturbing and must be promptly addressed by the Commish of Policeman's/Minister security. Whether the leader of the green party has engaged foreign household workers, plays a distance second fiddle to the incident he claims occurred. The Commish/Minister security, must address.
Emac 9 years, 2 months ago
" plays a distance second fiddle" HA haven't heard that expression in a while. That's a good one.
Greentea 9 years, 2 months ago
They knew the papers for his workers were up to date. This was political intimidation and if Mr Mitchell is behind this lowness- he need to go to the back of the line in terms of leadership. This is not the way forward and if he believes that it is- careful that the hand you use against others doesn't come back and slap the s##t out of you. The fact that it can happen with officers sworn to uphold the law reeks of even more corruption. For political power, these folks are leading my beautiful Bahamas down a path they don't have the intelligence, will or skill to steer out of. Sad state of affairs.
TalRussell 9 years, 2 months ago
Comrades, the pussy cat curiosity in me legs me wants me spring a trap against Bran. After all, he says he is the leader of a fringe opposition political party, and also was the former junior minister for immigration under the Papa Hubert regime.
Why is it he waited over a week to go public with the alleged "armed" department of immigration showing up on his property? Did Bran go to the Tribune with his story, or the Tribune came to him?
Why not just produce the surveillance cameras video he says is his proof of their presence?
Is it normal for immigration officers to be armed when they show up at private residents, all armed, for possible domestic workers immigration breaches?
Should the leader of the green party, now reveal to the public the nationalities, occupations and total number of work permits for his residence and businesses he now holds - and how many did he apply for but were denied, withdrawn, or on hold since the 2012 General?
Wideawake 9 years, 2 months ago
Tal! a good idea!
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