The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

AMID the litany of reforms proposed in his leadership platform, former Attorney General Alfred Sears calls for an amnesty period for undocumented migrants that have a “genuine link” to the country, and the regularisation of those living and working in the Bahamas for more than 15 years.

Mr Sears zeroed in on the hot-button issue of immigration as part of a multi-faceted plan for social reform. It’s a platform that he intends to have the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) adopt if he is successful in his leadership challenge at the party’s national convention, and then implemented as prime minister if his party is ushered back into government at next year’s general election.

However, the platform, published as a special supplement in The Tribune today, does not specify a timeline for the amnesty or eligibility criteria.

“[Immigration] reform is one of the most pressing public policy, political, social and moral issues facing The Bahamas,” the platform read.

“It is a complex question that requires significant research and analysis and the political and moral resolve to action.”

The reforms include: “Timely registration for citizenship of those persons born in The Bahamas neither of whose parents are Bahamian citizens, pursuant to Article 7 of the Constitution.

“Extend an amnesty period to undocumented immigrants who establish a genuine link to The Bahamas, have been residing and working in The Bahamas up to a pre-determined date.

“Regularisation and integration of undocumented immigrants who have been residing and working in The Bahamas for 15 years or more. Regularisation may take the form of a work permit, permanent residency or the grant of citizenship, in accordance with the Immigration Act and the Constitution. Grants of both citizenship and permanent residency will be subject to the requirement of attending and completing civic classes on matters concerning Bahamian culture, history and laws.”

Article 7 sets out guidelines on citizenship for persons born in The Bahamas post-independence to non-citizen parents.

It states that such a person “shall be entitled, upon making application on his attaining the age of 18 years or within 12 months thereafter in such manner as may be prescribed, to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas.

The article also points out that if such a person is already a citizen of another country, then he shall not be entitled to be registered unless the citizenship is renounced.

Applicants under this article “shall be subject to such exceptions or qualifications as may be prescribed in the interests of national security or public policy.”

In November 2014, the government introduced a stricter immigration policy that, among other things, requires every non-Bahamian to have a passport of their nationality.

The country came under heavy fire from local activists and international human rights agencies that expressed concerns that it was an opaque process that targeted Haitian migrants who were profiled, arrested and deported without due process.

Persons born in The Bahamas to foreign parents must obtain documents of their parents’ origin before they are able to apply for Bahamian residency or citizenship at 18.

It is unclear how Mr Sears plans to reconcile his proposed immigration reforms with the PLP-led administration’s hardline policy. He was unavailable to respond to questions placed yesterday.

The Department of Immigration announced last month that it will conduct checks beginning November 1 on employers in Inagua and Abaco to ensure their workers have the proper documents to live and work in The Bahamas.

Immigration officers will require the employees to be present with their documentation, according to the press release, which underscored that it is an offence to hire anyone without a work permit, and that offenders will be strictly prosecuted.

There is a fine of $10,000 or five years in prison for violating this law.

In his platform, Mr Sears suggests that work permits be granted to individuals who fall outside of the amnesty period. He noted that strengthening the nation’s border will be prioritised as a matter of national security with focus on the establishment of bases on key islands, particularly in the south, and key countries, like Haiti.

Mr Sears also calls for state-sponsored public education campaigns to combat prejudices against immigrants, and raise awareness of their contributions to Bahamian national development.

The platform also suggests changes to immigration policy in the financial services sector, with Mr Sears calling for work exchange as a requirement when granting work permits to international financial institutions.

“Revise immigration policy to protect the Bahamian expertise and to facilitate quick access to foreign expertise not readily available,” the platform read, “with the requirement that for every work permit granted to an international financial institution a Bahamian is afforded the opportunity to work at one of the financial institution’s international offices to gain greater exposure and experience where practicable.”