Louisbin Foreste
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
THE government is facing another immigration legal challenge from a Bahamas-born man of Haitian descent after he was deported to Haiti in violation of a Supreme Court order.
Yesterday, 24-year-old Louisbin Foreste told The Tribune his time in Haiti - his first time leaving The Bahamas - has been filled with hardship, hunger and a constant fear for his life.
“You know when people tell you about somewhere you never been, but like you can only imagine it? Well, it’s worse and every day people are dropping dead,” Mr Foreste said in a telephone interview.
“Every day I’m seeing cars flipping over, bikes flipping over, many people dead. And stuff in Haiti is expensive, it’s very bad. I’m living with strangers, some nights I go to sleep hungry if my sister don’t send money. A water to drink is $20 Haitian.”
Mr Foreste was deported on October 27, just four days after his lawyer obtained an injunction before acting Justice Andrew Forbes to keep him in the country until his matter could be heard in court.
A service form obtained by The Tribune indicates the Attorney General’s Office received the injunction on October 25. The family claims officials at the Department of Immigration, and the Carmichael Road Detention Centre were also served with the order; however, The Tribune has not seen any proof of service.
The 24-year-old said he was still struggling to understand his plight given his ties to The Bahamas, and repeatedly claimed that several immigration officers stationed at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre during his detention were his former classmates.
Mr Foreste had petitioned the lawfulness of his near month-long detention and Justice Forbes was scheduled to hear his habeas corpus application on November 30.
In his affidavit filed on October 22 in support of that application, Mr Foreste stated his belief that the Department of Immigration intended to “surreptitiously expedite” his deportation because his family had told officials he was seeking legal representation.
Mr Foreste was arrested by immigration officers during a sweep of a village off Montgomery Avenue on October 5, and had been detained at the Carmichael Road facility until his deportation.
In the days following his arrest, his family members reportedly provided immigration officials with his birth and baptismal certificates, immunisation and school records and his National Insurance Board card.
His sister Louidna Foreste claims she was told by the Immigration Department that officials would make a determination on his release after all documents were submitted.
“We went immigration,” Ms Foreste said, “they told us what to bring but still nothing came of it. We gone to the detention centre, they told us to go to head office, when I gone to head office [an immigration official] tell us what to bring, his documents to prove he was born here.”
She continued: “We showed his birth, baptism and immunisation card, and she said she will still need school record. She told us, anyone can get a birth certificate.
“So we take all the stuff and the woman say they will have to make the decision. Every day we call they say they haven’t made decision yet. One immigration officer at the detention centre said they just want to leave him in there for a few days just to teach him a lesson. I say I sure by now he learn his lesson.”
Family members were tipped off that Mr Foreste was slated for deportation on Friday evening, October 26, according to Ms Foreste, who said she and other family members slept in their cars outside the Carmichael Road facility and watched as he was put on a bus for the airport the following morning despite their pleas about the court injunction.
Struggle
In north Haiti, Mr Foreste said he was befriended by another deported man who took pity on him.
“It was really bad at the airport,” Mr Foreste said.
“They had a handcuff on my hand really tight. Just the way they treat me, it was very bad for someone - to me I born and raised in the Bahamas. People told me about Haiti, but it’s very bad.
“When I get deported,” Mr Foreste said, “one of the guys was on the plane I tell him I don’t have no one. . .he ask if I want to come with him because he didn’t want to leave me there because I told him I didn’t have any family in Haiti. I borrowed his phone and I call (my) sister. He lets me use it to talk to my people sometimes, he see me, I might be in the room laying down tears coming out my eyes.
“I feel bad,” he continued, “I mostly try stay inside, how I see it how it is around here it’s very bad. In Haiti when you speak English they take it in a bad way, they feel like you cursing them, but I speak Kreyol.”
According to his birth certificate, Mr Foreste was born in Abaco on August 11, 1994 to Prevelus Foreste, a labourer, and Elizia Joseph, an engineer.
His father Prevelus came to the Bahamas in 1976, and his mother Elizia in 1988, according to his sister Louidna, who said the pair was in search of a better life and never returned to Haiti.
Of Mr Foreste’s five siblings, his three sisters hold Bahamian citizenship while he and his older brother did not apply.
He said he went to Central Abaco Primary school until he moved to Nassau with his siblings to stay with a family friend.
In Nassau, he attended Sandilands Primary, and Anatol Rogers until grade nine when he dropped out.
Ms Foreste said: “School is not for everyone, especially if you don’t have that adult support. Our parents are in Abaco, and we were living with a family friend in Nassau. If you not encouraged to be in school and you’re not learning, you wouldn’t want to stay.”
Despite his unemployment, and having not yet applied for citizenship, Ms Foreste stressed her brother was a humble, honest, respectful and kind-hearted person, who had never been arrested or broken any laws in the Bahamas.
Meanwhile, Mr Foreste is struggling to adjust to his new environment.
“Everything in the Bahamas,” Mr Foreste said, “how life is in Haiti, it’s a different life. Sometimes I pass places I see little kids lifting the heaviest stuff, kids run up to you begging for just a $1 for something to eat. I don’t even have it. Last time I had like $3 I gave it to this little kid and he told me God would bless me, I felt good about that at least that day.”
Mr Foreste is represented by McKell Bonaby of Arnold Forbes & Co.
Mr Bonaby did not return calls placed by The Tribune up to press time.
Mr Foreste’s matter is similar to the high-profile case of Jean Rony Jean-Charles, a man who said he is was born in the Bahamas to migrant parents. Mr Jean-Charles was deported, but later ordered to be brought back from Haiti by a Supreme Court judge.
The Court of Appeal later set aside that landmark decision and Mr Jean-Charles has since taken his case to the Privy Council in London.
Ahead of those court proceedings last year, Immigration minister Brent Symonette said the Immigration Department did not “normally” deport people who were born in the Bahamas. He added he would be “disappointed” if this practice was being carried out.
Yesterday, Mr Symonette did not speak to Mr Foreste’s case but clarified his earlier statement, telling The Tribune: “I said it’s not the normal policy but there are still circumstances where it could happen.”
Asked whether there has been any change in policy, Mr Symonette said “No, it’s the same.”
Comments
My2centz 5 years, 11 months ago
What does being "born here" have to do with anything? Haitians have determined the Bahamas is a birthright citizenship country despite the law, and this seems to be reinforced by the media and so called leaders. There was no citizenship application at 24, because they know laws do not apply to them. His classmates cannot validate that he was born in Bahamas by just "knowing" him. At this point, there is no difference between him and those who came as children and have the same ties as he does.
geostorm 5 years, 11 months ago
So true! If you were born here and did not apply at 18 then you have chosen your fate! I feel sorry for him, but people need to learn to follow laws. The sleeping giant (the Bahamas) is awake and we really can't stomach these immigration issues anymore!!
rawbonrbahamian 5 years, 11 months ago
The only problem with the law in this instance is that the individual is prexumed illegal until proven otherwise.
My2centz 5 years, 11 months ago
He was given an opportunity to prove legal status (2 weeks or more) and did not. At 24, if Bahamas born, he also rejected his constitutional entitlement. No presumptions here...just facts.
stillwaters 5 years, 11 months ago
Why is it that all the sisters in these families apply and get straight, but the brothers just don't bother and then are shocked when they are sent to their nation of choice? If you don't apply for Bahamian citizenship, then you're choosing Haitian citizenship.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 11 months ago
That is a Bahamian/Haitian etc (black) male problem .......... they feel entitled to everything ....... and then blame their Ma for whatever is wrong in their lives
DEDDIE 5 years, 11 months ago
Seem to be the same malady inflicting young male throughout our society. The women are progressive and the male are regressive.
stillwaters 5 years, 11 months ago
And their ma can't help them because she is probably still in hiding.
TalRussell 5 years, 11 months ago
Ma comrades, still confused why we successive government fails at dedicating the resources to clarify who gets stay on Bahamaland's soil,,,,,,, regardless, stop with the increased criminalization enforcement mentality immigration officers..... And in meantime - stop with the imprisonment craziness and the ridiculous dressing up heads immigration in intended be threatening attire resembling Idi Amin look-a-likes...... PM, order the surrender to set fire such overbearing authoritarian uniforms.
My2centz 5 years, 11 months ago
It’s very clear already. What successive governments fail to do is follow existing laws or change them to acommodate the goal of transforming Bahamas into Haiti. IF this man was born in the Bahamas, he should have applied within the window. His only recourse after that point is to apply as any other foreign national.
licks2 5 years, 11 months ago
Don't mind them all saying they were born in the Bahamas. . .one of my good friends of Haitian extract. . .said he was born and schooled here. . . Bahamian passport holder as well. . .until another man showed up at the airport. . .cannot speak of understand a lick of English. . . and yes. . ."he was born here". . .traveling on the Bahamian passport of my friend. Or I can also tell you of a pair of twins. . .holding birth certificates. . .but born one month apart!! Or the mother who showed up a the registry with a certification written on a piece of yellow legal pad paper to show that here child was born in the Bahamas. . .she became rowdy when she was told that she better carry her tail out there with that piece of paper!!
jamaicaproud 5 years, 11 months ago
Man you all some cold-blooded folk. Fascists really.
stillwaters 5 years, 11 months ago
You feel that way because you're here illegally too or what?
mttyro 5 years, 11 months ago
only 30 of 195 countries on the planet have birthright citizenship.
Almost all states in Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania grant citizenship at birth based upon the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood), in which citizenship is inherited through parents not by birthplace
mttyro 5 years, 11 months ago
How ignorant is this comment? There are 190 countries in the world and only 30 of them have birthright citizenship. So you are saying that 84% of the planet are fascists?
You should definitely develop a commonsense understanding of how the world works before you indict good people who are trying to maintain global stability through the structure of countries with common culture and selective borders.
BTW --Almost all states in Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania grant citizenship at birth based upon the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood), in which citizenship is inherited through parents not by birthplace.
licks2 5 years, 11 months ago
We are fascist with 13% or so of our population of persons of Haitian extract. . . how is the Jamaican "open door policy" towards our brother from Haiti? I was in Barbados and they took an American college student who is from Haiti off the same plane we all flew on from San Juan, Puerto Rico. When we tried to understand they reason for removing him we were told that he is Haitian. . .entry is denied. . .he will be placed on the next plane going back to the nearest US ports. I was with the group that contacted the US Embassy to report the matter. . .we stayed at the airport until the US persons came and let the Barbadian know he had an American F1 visa and was traveling with his college group there for their annual conference. He was allowed to stay as long as the conference was on!!
jamaicaproud 5 years, 11 months ago
Respect sir. My statement has nothing to do with this fellow breaking the strange laws of the Bahamas. If he has broken it so be it.(Though I don't know how one can be held guilty for their own birth). My issue is Hatred of Haitians seem to be a national sport. Even if someone is wrong, be nice about it. As for me being illegal in the Bahamas, that's a good laugh.
Furthermore, even if he is illegal or whatever, should not government departments follow the correct procedure? If Commissioners are allowed to make their own, rules, then one day they will come for you too.
My2centz 5 years, 11 months ago
As far as you know what procedure was not followed? He was unable to prove his legal status and was deported, and accepted by Haiti. I'm not sure what Jamaica accepts but immunization or baptismal cards, and classmate ID are not among the acceptable documents. Nobody gets to submit alternative documents of their choosing. That's not how it works. Maybe it's different in Jamaica.
jamaicaproud 5 years, 11 months ago
Well My2cents have a goodnight sir/mam.. Ok For all its problems, Jamaica has a robust though not perfect justice system. However, Jamaica is not the subject. I can tell you one thing, no Immigration can deport anyone in Jamaica, which has almost the same law as the Bahamas. This is reserved for the courts. Government employees should not operate based on their feelings or prejudice(s). Today it's him, tomorrow it will be you.
My2centz 5 years, 11 months ago
The Jamaican and Bahamian immigration laws are not the same. The minister can legally sign off on deportation orders. There is also nothing beyond your delusions that holds the corrupt, ineffective, human rights violating Jamaican justice system in higher esteem than Bahamas. It is not a model to emulate. In reality, if Bahamas is not above then we are on par.
jamaicaproud 5 years, 11 months ago
I am trying to be respectful, but it seems like it is virtually impossible for you guys to have a normal conversation, without exercising some superiority. Good luck living in a place where Ministers can "sign off on stuff" Which means tomorrow if someone in power doesn't like you, they can "sign off". Does that sound like justice?
I never said the laws were the same, yet they are more similar than you care to know. Fact is for better or worse, Jamaica does not place enough effort in enforcement. The issue about Minister can sign off, you know full well its a violation and its an issue before the courts.
Problem with people like you is that you never think the hands of injustice can reach down and affect you. You think that is a dilemma reserved for "the Haitians".
licks2 5 years, 11 months ago
And the problem with people like you is you talk a whole lot but knows very little!! He has no case before the court. . .his lawyer filed an habeus corpus. . .for Louibin. . .on a birth certificate? Don't make me laugh. . .his problem is the same as Rony Jean. . .WHO IS RONY JEAN??? Our law says that the minister can sign off. . .YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. . .GO TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL. . .
My2centz 5 years, 11 months ago
Name calling with a condescending tone is respectful?
No injustice occurred. This man was given ample opportunity to provide proof of his legal status to a legally authorized official. Whether it was in a courtroom or not is irrelevent.
licks2 5 years, 11 months ago
I don't get you. . .who called you illegal? How come you are here commenting on this so serious national issues and you can't follow a simple though strain?? You call our law strange. . .third generation persons who are born to Haitian parents could not be a citizen until they just change Article 11 in the Haitian Constitution! Now that is so strange. . .no other country in the world had or has that law!!
TimesUp 5 years, 11 months ago
How many children are born in the Bahamas to parents with Bahamian recognized surnames but have never applied for a passport?
Should these people be sent to the detention center if picked up? Should they be deported to Haiti?
What is interesting is if you question a person in that situation or ask others if they should be deported the majority will of course say no but change the subject to someone with a foreign last name and.....
Which leads to a concerning question. What makes a Bahamian a Bahamian to society? Race? Surname? Country of birth? Birth certificate? Lineage? Accent?
My2centz 5 years, 11 months ago
A Bahamian is someone who is recognized as a citizen according to the Constitution...just as it is in any other country, including Haiti. A passport therefore, is not the only means to prove citizenship.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 11 months ago
So true .......... You get a passport because it was proven 100% that you are a citizen according to the Bahamian Constitution
licks2 5 years, 11 months ago
Grow the hell up. . .Haitian do not have any monopoly of being catched and deported. . .YALL JUST DO MORE NONSENSE THAN THEM OTHER PERSONS. . .YINNA NEED TO GROW THE HELL UP, ACT CIVILIZED LIKE YINNA GAT SOME DAME SENSE. . .LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. . .LAWS ARE LAWS. . .GO TO YA OWN DANG NATION AND ARGUE ABOUT THE RIGHTNESS OR WRONGNESS OF THEIR LAWS.
licks2 5 years, 11 months ago
The constitution . . .any other question??
TalRussell 5 years, 11 months ago
This matter is so positively unsimilar for comrade lawyer McKell Bonaby - near certainty increasing his client's chances meet success - than it is for the conflicting challengeable statement facts surrounding that of the client of the high-profile King's Counsel's matter before the courts.
Sickened 5 years, 11 months ago
Louisbin needs to blame his parents. First for his name and second for coming here illegally. Simple! Done!
We aren't changing our laws for you just because Haiti is a shit hole!
licks2 5 years, 11 months ago
The question is now. . .WHO IS LUISBIN??? Rony Jean's case jack-up all persons like him. . .Haitian or no!!
pingmydling 5 years, 11 months ago
talking about shole countries ( that is a direct quote from from your leader Donald S Trump. I am of the view that this problem needs to be solved once and for all. Send every last Bahamian to Haiti -- keep all the Haitians here!! Oh happy day. It would be such a sweet place then.
Clamshell 5 years, 11 months ago
It’s Donald J. Trump, not Donald S. Trump. He says the “J” stands for “Jenius.”
stillwaters 5 years, 11 months ago
Good one
Clamshell 5 years, 11 months ago
Why is it that this fellow could go to the trouble to get a stylish hairdo and hip clothing and gold jewelry, but not bother to get his papers straight like his sisters did?
DDK 5 years, 11 months ago
BRILLIANT observation!
mttyro 5 years, 11 months ago
Only 30 of 190 countries on the planet have birthright citizenship and for good reason.
Almost all states in Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania grant citizenship at birth based upon the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood), in which citizenship is inherited through parents not by birthplace
Common culture and language are key to avoiding chaos and maintaining stability within a nation. The problems associated with the current system are nothing compared to the genocides throughout history that occur when ideologies and interests collide.
licks2 5 years, 11 months ago
Smith opened a whole lot of dumb pits in his last hissy fit with Rony Juan. . .for instance our court have no jurisdiction over another country's citizens. . . he is in Haiti. . .he is not a Bahamian. . .and the supreme court just finished rowing Hilton for ordering the government to bring another country citizen into the Bahamas!! All them "things" the appeal court had with Hilton "bitchin up" everything still stand for all such cases until Rony Juan them come back from the PC with another contrasting ruling or forever that SC rule stays as the law (including common law)!! This reporter is at her dumb crap again. . .her pig pigheadedness also helped screw all of Rony them. . . let her go to Haiti now and help bring this one back. . .she will find her tail in jail for human smuggling. . .
TalRussell 5 years, 11 months ago
For enlightenment those comrade bloggers who preach how Haitian nationals are only here to turn we Bahamaland into 'shithole'..... each you does needs flashback to better understand the year of 1926, when none other than the 'Hygiene School of London, England, had basically rated the Bahamaland as being a 'medical disgrace' to British Empire. { No, cant just make such up }.
SP 5 years, 11 months ago
Louisbin Foreste and 100,000 others like him are proud to celebrate Haitian flag day, speak Creole and fly their Haitian flag to our annoyance but when sent back to their beloved S...HOLE Haiti, they want no part of it!
Since they are incapable of assimilating and love Haiti so much, send every Christ one back to the cesspool of their dreams and let us get on with building the Bahamas for Bahamians.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 11 months ago
AMEN
Islangal1 5 years, 11 months ago
I'm always ashamed when I see some of the comments on any posts regarding Haitian/Bahamians. Persons saying he had a chance to apply but didn't. Well let me give you my experience with The Bahamas immigration office a friend of mine, born, raised in The Bahamas, father Bahamian, mother Jamaican and not married. At the age of 19 she applied for Bahamian for citizenship, it took her 4years of back and forth at that immigration office, on officer even making a proposal that if she slept with him he could PUSH it through, another asked her for $1,500 to have it expedited. Election year came up, I told her to approach the minister and ask for help, she did, finally, after 4yrs she got her status and passport. 1yr later she was accepted to University in Texas, left The Bahamas never came back. Now, 15years later she's a successful anesthesiologist in California, working in one of the top hospitals in Encino California. She came back to The Bahamas once since she left, about 5yrs ago to her Dad's funeral. Bahamians hate Haitian more than they do Jamaicans but as she said she refused to waste her life in a country that doesn't accept her.
I have my own horrific experience with Bahamas immigration as my European Husband tried getting status there being married to a Bahamian woman. After 3yrs of trying we packed up and left. Happy to say my daughter and I who are Bahamian were treated better in Europe than he was in The Bahamas. The Bahamas shutting itself off, This Bahamas for Bahamians is making it worse because it's outdated. Every developing country embrace the diversity of culture and right now the Bahamas is going through a serious brain drain. Five of my friends have packed up with their husbands and children and left home since I left in 2005 and all of them are Bahamians. The Bahamas is losing citizen resources. Let that sink in!
sheeprunner12 5 years, 11 months ago
But you left out an important point ........ our country still was responsible for her upbringing ....... whether she appreciates it or not now ..... Jamaica probably contributed very little to her ......... But she will probably be proud to say she is Jamaican now ......... Such is life for these ungrateful half-breeds
Further ............ her father could have done the honorable thing from Day ONE ....... either marry the baby mama or adopt his child .......... Do not go blaming a country for personal failings.
And on your point about marrying foreign man .......... that is your choice based on Article 9 .............. Live with it or follow your white man.
jamaicaproud 5 years, 11 months ago
You are indeed.. Anyway let me follow the guidelines. I for one don't know why someone would leave Jamaica and subject themselves to statelessness on another island, but it happens. However, in a global world, where people meet and marry others, your reckless laws are antiquated. It is really a way for your men trying to discourage your women from being with outsiders.
As far as your stupid assertion the country was responsible for her upbringing. Didn't her parents work? Right now your biggest star Ms Miller is married to an outsider. Her children will not acquire Bahamian citizenship. What type of mess is that? Anyway, reasoning with a racist half-breed alcoholic is a waste of time.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 11 months ago
Bruh JA ........ 50% of your people live outside of Jamaica ...... Be Quiet!!!!
jamaicaproud 5 years, 11 months ago
That's the only thing you can say?
licks2 5 years, 11 months ago
I SUGGEST YOU TAKE THAT ADVICE. . ."YOON MAKING NO SENSE". . .
My2centz 5 years, 11 months ago
The ungrateful Jamaican-Bahamian is exactly why the country needs to establish stricter guidelines in vetting its citizenship applicants born to foreigners. But I agree with one point you made, the Bahamas is losing its citizen resources to poor uneducated illegal immigrants and their offsprings . Individuals who really add no value, but reap the benefits of living in a more stable economy and possessing a hassle free passport. Bahamas for Bahamians is just a phrase. The reality is the Haitian community has had better luck in having their issues addressed.
jamaicaproud 5 years, 11 months ago
Ungrateful? Did you want her to grovel and beg like Jean Rony? You are out of your nonsensical mind. You also forget to mention the reason the place has value is that labour HAS to be imported, for even the simplest tasks.
My2centz 5 years, 11 months ago
Begged for what...how did you infer that? This woman has vitriol toward a country that she resided and benefitted from and no doubt provided her with a good start to the success she now enjoys. All over her parents failure. Her mother fled Jamaica for a reason, and decided a hassle filled Bahamian passport was better for her than a freely given JA passport.
The Bahamas has a value due to imported labor? Ridiculous comment. It has more value than other Caribbean countries because of its proximity to the US. Importing skilled labour is a fact of life for most small and underpopulared countries (including JA where more live abroad than in). Not many seem to know how to manitain or recruit its educated or skilled diaspora. This is not unique to the Bahamas.
jamaicaproud 5 years, 11 months ago
You keep going back to Jamaica. Why don't you visit? We won't hassle you, downgrade you, and you will get service with a genuine smile. Aren't you ashamed that it is a hassle to get your passport? Aren't you ashamed that laws are decided at the whims and fancies of Civil Servants and Ministers? You have not answered my question. What are you going to do when the arbitrariness reaches you?
What sense does it make to school, and hospitalize young people, and don't allow them to pay back to society, by making it hell to work? What type of nonsense where citizens of your country in this global economy are discouraged from marrying who they want? Or preventing children of citizens from holding a passport? Think about it. Fact is all of this is based on plain illogical hatred and the fact that the only thing Bahamians can really claim is their alleged superiority to Haitians. No one is saying people should immigrate illegally, However, the hatred and vitriol are uncalled for.
My2centz 5 years, 11 months ago
The most hateful remarks came from you. I find this hypocrisy common among too many who claim to be defending human rights. Not wanting our country to disintegrate into Hait, as the current path indicates, is not hate. Your double standard when it comes to Jamaica is also hypocritical. Your own repatriated, and gay citizens fear for their lives. But foreigners fare better? I find that very hard to believe.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 11 months ago
Canada imports labour and in some instances for simple tasks
sheeprunner12 5 years, 11 months ago
Most of our problem lies in our ill-disciplined haste to make babies, without proper planning or responsibility .......... Illegitimate children make up almost 70% of our population ......... and the kids take the Mama citizenship status ........ So lousy irresponsible Bahamian men who have these kids with foreign baby mamas are creating a host of national issues based on the Constitution.
zephyr 5 years, 11 months ago
Hello Tribune242::
As a JP, I assisted one young lady who was born in The Bahamas to Haitian parents - with a citizenship application.
She was granted Bahamian citizenship in reasonable time. I hear folks (who were born here to foreign parents) say that they have been waiting for years for a reply to their citizenship application.
I think that a lot of the wait has to do with an incomplete application.
The young women's brother decided that he will remain Haitian; so he did not apply. The difference between this young man, and the Jean R. Charles' in The Bahamas - is that he is highly educated, and is now a proud Haitian professional in the USA.
If the Jean Charles' in The Bahamas refused to take advantage of their rights under the law in the prescribed time - that's their problem; and they could find that Haiti will be their destiny.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 11 months ago
This is a really convoluted story from "zephyr"......... and we don't want to get started talking about JPs today .......... SMT
jamaicaproud 5 years, 11 months ago
God bless the great Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Yuall have a great Sunday.
TalRussell 5 years, 11 months ago
Ma comrades it is popular myth that being in possession passport of a designated country - establishes proof of citizenship. Passports are issued for no other purpose than as a travel document........ I know of no country worthy recognition in which one's birth certificate is not the must have official government issued document to begin process establishing citizenship. Fact is, some 38% individuals living among have never even applied Bahamaland's passport.... Prior to Independence a vast majority we thought our then issued 'colony' passports meant we were British.Bahamalanders. We natives by we own constitution are not required produce proof citizenship to or before no authority acting we government.... and we immigration officials does knowingly and unlawfully abuses rights mostly individuals with obvious identify signs of anything being Haitian. If you abuse constitution for sole purpose signal out certain designated individuals - you should be arrested, charged and upon conviction - fined $50,000 plus automatic jail sentence of 5 years.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 11 months ago
The birth certificate is only proof of a registered live birth and other personal details ......... we do not have birthright citizenship in our Constitution.
That is why the passport is an essential document now
joeblow 5 years, 11 months ago
...but yet the passport is being given to children born to parents in the Bahamas illegally simply BECAUSE they have been here for 18 years and applied! This is wrong an dis the fundamental problem that has to be addressed.
licks2 5 years, 11 months ago
Not really. . .if you can prove you were born here legally. . .to parents who are or were not Bahamians you are entitled to apply at age 18 to 19!! We don't need to change a dang thing. Why you think Smith and Luby Georges them WILL NEVER TAKE THE QUESTION OF ILLEGALS HAVING A RIGHT TO APPLY AS LEGALS TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL!! THEY WILL LOSE. . .THEN NO CHILD OF AN ILLEGAL PARENTS WILL BE ENTITLED!!
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