More than ten years ago, Bahamian Stafford Lightbourn married his wife, Sharon Lewis-Lightbourn.
Under the law, she is entitled to become a citizen of The Bahamas as she is married to a Bahamian man.
The week after their marriage, Mr Lightbourn put in the paperwork to start the process – and right from the start, there were problems.
“They told me that I am not permitted to make any application for citizenship at that time,” he said. “They told me she could only make application for a Spousal Permit. We did so. That only lasts for a year. They have nothing in place to say what proper procedures are.”
A year later, back they went – only to be told that the spousal permit could not be renewed, and that it had to be a new application. Nonsense, of course, it’s the same marriage, you shouldn’t need a new application.
The new application was denied and they were told they needed to get a work visa. Again, nonsense – marriage may be a chore at times but it’s certainly not a job!
Finally, they got another spousal permit sorted, that lasted for five years. Five years later, more problems – Mr Lightbourn went back to apply for citizenship for his wife again, only to be told he had to apply for citizenship, a residency permit and a spousal permit – all at once. Two years later – two years to process – the spousal permit was again approved, but the residency turned down. Finally, in June last year, the citizenship was refused, but a letter said the “board has agreed to grant Permanent Residence with the right to work”. That would last for a lifetime unless revoked, and would cost another $1,000, and with no prospect of the citizenship being granted, they paid the fee and took the residency.
That still leaves Mrs Lewis-Lighbourn unable to vote, and with no reason as to why the citizenship was not granted.
Credit to Mr Lightbourn for persisting, as he wrote to the director of immigration, the Minister of Immigration, and even the Prime Minister. What did he hear back? Silence. Nothing.
As parties hit the election trail, we suspect many people will hear from candidates about what they will do for them once in office – but too many times people are left with the experience that Mr Lightbourn has faced. A wall of silence, a lack of answers and no indication that the public servants are working on behalf of Bahamians.
The Tribune is not surprised at the long delays over decisions and wait for approvals – we have experienced the same with some of our own staff.
This kind of treatment is unfair for the many Bahamians who find themselves fighting through bureaucracy to get what they are entitled to.
Why should a question mark be left hanging over the future of Mrs Lewis-Lightbourn? Why shouldn’t she be able to take a full part in the civic life of The Bahamas? Why should she be made to feel less than she is entitled to be?
We doubt this is just an isolated incident – how many others have been left uncertain over their long-term prospects for a job because paperwork hasn’t been sorted out or people have made decisions without offering a reason or explanation?
This mess has lasted through both FNM and PLP governments – it’s not just down to one party or the other, but a long-term institutional problem that should have been sorted out long ago.
Mr Lightbourn and his wife deserve answers – and they deserve them from the very top. He has written to the Prime Minister. In 2017, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis ran for office saying it was “The People’s Time”. Well, Dr Minnis, your people are calling, and it’s past time you gave an answer.
Davis on COVID
PLP leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis is calling for action to stop a third wave of COVID-19. Or is he?
He certainly talks a big game, with some tough words about learning from past mistakes, and having to act now.
However, Mr Davis is also the man who has argued against lockdowns and against the emergency powers.
Some ideas are just fine, such as allowing the import of medical-grade masks for the public – all well and good as long as there is enough supply for healthcare workers, but a bad idea if it means depriving those on the front line. Still, if there is enough supply, absolutely, go right ahead.
He also wants isolation protocols to be strengthened – which we’d be surprised if that isn’t a goal across the medical system too.
Mr Davis seems to favour dropping the requirement of testing for inter-island travel – a move which if carried out will do nothing to protect against the virus or slow its spread. He also says not to rely on vaccines and lockdowns but to use a “broader set of tools” without particularly saying what those are.
In short, he seems to want to be seen to be saying something while saying little.
More like this story
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- Questions raised over fishermen's marriages
- EDITORIAL: Creating confusion to defeat the June 7 equal rights referendum
- Stop leaving people in limbo over immigration
- Amendments to Immigration Act will benefit foreign spouses
Comments
The_Oracle 3 years, 8 months ago
Mr. Lightbourn plight is not lost in bureaucracy, he is the victim of Bureaucracy that instinctively says NO. Mr. Lightbourn has run into a Devil of our own making: Authority=Power, specifically the power to deny. They have not yet understood that real power is enabling. Most Bahamians don't realize the law we supposedly follow does not allow Civil servants to deny any service, permit or license. It requires them to ask for certain documents to proceed and process. Lawfully required documents, that should also be readily available from the various Government Depts. This business of boards/committees meeting to approve (or not) and Ministers approving (or not) is pure unmitigated garbage. They have appropriated a"power" where none exists. Approvals should be given under Authority. All the authorities require is various documents. This assumed "power" to deny runs from political at the top (where it was created) to the bottom of the Civil service. It is a primary facet of our failure at the rule of law, and most notably the spirit of the law, and self Governance. But we sit back and accept it at best, and become a part of it at worst. My favorite Quote: Politicians and Civil servants can do only that which the law proscribes, a private citizen can do anything save that which the law prohibits. They have collectively turned this on its head, To wit: Politicians and civil servants do whatever they want, including break the law, and private citizens can do only that which they allow. Is that not the truth?
Economist 3 years, 8 months ago
This is standard procedure for Immigration. Number One for them is that they can't find your application. They take great joy in making people suffer. Their Directors probably actively encourage this type of opressive operation. It must give them a power kick.. Time to take them to court. Sadly, no one will be repremanded which means that the Prime Minister probably approves this as well. He must know, like everyone else, that this is a daily occurance.
pileit 3 years, 8 months ago
Reads to me like ongoing exploitation. Continual work permit charges that were not applicable wonder where those fees went.
DWW 3 years, 8 months ago
Dept of immigration is a literal joke and all bahamians know this. If those that work there cared about the reputation they might improve it but they don't. some of the worst in the public sector work right there at immigration. supposed to be stewards of the population right? more like wolves in sheeps clothing. Davis is a non-starter.
Dawes 3 years, 8 months ago
They are basically holding this family (and many others as i know of a few) up in the expectation of a bribe. They couldn't care less about what they are required to do, and no one in charge of them has the will to stop them (or maybe they are in on it too). Kudos to Mr. Lightbourn for bringing it to the news, too often they expect people to sit quietly as they don't want to rock the boat and get denied. His wife has met all the requirements to be Bahamian as such it should be given. Or they should change the Constitution. Mr Lightbourn should consider suing the Government as well due to them not following he law.
sheeprunner12 3 years, 8 months ago
What is in the Constitution is not always practically applied in the specific Laws & Regulations (and Offices) pertaining to the issues at hand ........ Efficiency & Honesty in Government cannot be compared with a cold legal document .......... Not in 242 or in most countries worldwide
Go to Jamaica and try get a Government document out of the offices in Spanish Town .......... Far worst experience than in Nassau
Dawes 3 years, 8 months ago
Then change the constitution so that it says what we do. My issue is if the law states that XYZ should occur then that is what should occur. If that is not enforceable then change the law to one that is. Don't have a law then choose not to follow it as that is a slippery slope.
sheeprunner12 3 years, 8 months ago
Dawes ........... a theoretical document must be implemented by human beings with all of their shortfalls and imperfections ........... Changing our Constitution in this present political climate is as remote as paying off the national debt.
Dawes 3 years, 8 months ago
OK, can you advise me which laws i should follow and which ones i don't have too? Or do i get to pick?
bogart 3 years, 8 months ago
This is not a continued issue of lost in bureaucracy, or even result of bureaucracy. These cases go way back widely known like case of Darcy Ryan with having lawyers all the way to win and still being refused by politician, Dr. Ramsingh and many others. Gross wrongs done to others like the Japanese languishing in jail for years, the Nigerian who is to be compensated. Sugar coating it as bureaucracy is just a plain excuse to a rotten, evil, victimizing, wicked system fully known for decades by educated politicians/legislators and their committees with educated personnel. These blatent egregious wrongs not only in just one department but seems toexists in almost every area governed by alternating govts with politically appointed boards for decades. Quite likely there are egregious wrongs from alternating govt controlled bank, housing corporation, road traffic with millions of dollars questioned in audit, crown lands, taxi plates, Toby Smith project etcetc. So what next? ...another past known alternating govt. continuing the same wrongs?.
licks2 3 years, 8 months ago
This case smells like a whole "basket of fish". . .it makes as much sense as the Bahamian Mt. Everest!
Immigration approves thousands of cases like this one for many persons. . .white, black, rich, poor, USA, CA, UK , down south and up north. . .yearly!! They also "deny a few". . .the few that "they catch" trying to "swing" us!! I don't know. . .what kind of "red flags" pf one of them "real" intensions cause ID to "send out a hot potato" bulletin on these two? I personally know of a case where one of our "friends" down south paid the neighborhood drunk to get married as she lived with her "real man from down south" and when the drunk came "to see his wife" as he told me. . .they beat him up and told him he done got paid for the marriage. . .she is not his wife!
He came to me complaining that he can't get to see his wife!!
There is a "whole lot" of this kind of thing going on in this nation!! Now all the people that I know in this same condition will tell you that their citizenship papers could not be applied for until after 5 years of even up to ten years!! I know one who went longer!! Only thing he could not do in this country is vote. . .his Bahamian wife has already left him and he STILL WORKS HERE.. .no citizenship as far I know!!
I do not know about yall. . .her applying for citizenship after "ONE WEEK MARRIED TO A BAHAMIAN MAN". . .RAISED ALL KIND OF RED FLAGS FOR ME!!!
One of these two "een too smart" or is one desperate in a hurry for something!!
Another thing. . .if they have a lawyer, why don't they go to court if they "think they are in the right" and has done everything asked by law!
The question for all yinna is "what has immigration against or on these two. . .or one of them that they will not give the woman her papers"? THIS CANNOT BE DONE LEGALLY. . .THESE TWO OR ONE OF THEM CAN NOT PASS THE SMELL TEST. . .SO TO SPEAK!
These kind of "things" go down here plenty. . .slick overseas people them come here and "marry" our woman and men just to get "papers". . .especially our "brothers and sisters them from down south!! They prey on the mostly "weak and vulnerable" among us.
My advice is if "ya papers them are clean and right" as you insist and the marriage is legit and above board. . .if they refuse to let ya apply for citizenship for ya wife. . .USE THAT LAWYER YA GAT AND SUE THE GOVERNMENT!!
Economist 3 years, 8 months ago
you clearly have not been dealing with immigration. I have personally seen them lose one persons application 3 times, screwed up another, tried to trick another into making a further application which would have been out of time thus disenfranchising them and so on.
ohdrap4 3 years, 8 months ago
And perhaps a person with an opinion such as yours, wrote a similar letter when he saw the application ad in the newspaper and it got turned down.
birdiestrachan 3 years, 8 months ago
enough already of lockdowns for some and not for others. enough of the emergency powers.
some are getting much money for COVID 19 test. even after the test there is the travel Visa. It makes no sense. unless there is a need to boost the PM in all of his mismanagement.
He is quickly taking the Bahamas down a road of no return,
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