By LETRE SWEETING
lsweeting@tribunemedia.net
A HAITIAN mother who is a resident of the United States is calling on the government to release her children who were allegedly taken into custody by the Department of Immigration while they were attempting to travel to America in what was a suspected smuggling operation.
In a letter addressed to Labour and Immigration Minister Keith Bell on Monday, the attorney for Clairnise Louis, the mother of two children of Haitian descent called for the Department of Immigration to release her two girls into the custody of relatives in The Bahamas as there is no one to receive them in Haiti should they be deported. The children are 11 and nine years old and were born in The Bahamas to Ms Louis and Haitian fathers.
Ms Louis was also born in this country to Haitian parents.
“We are instructed that both children’s fathers live, work and reside in The Bahamas and that there is no one to receive and care for the children in the Republic of Haiti should they be deported,” the mother’s attorney wrote in a letter obtained by The Tribune.
“We submit and invite you to accept that our client is a fit and proper person and we request that the children be released into the custody of our client.”
According to the letter, on October 19 Ms Louis was advised that her children were taken into custody while attempting to travel to the US. The letter noted that Ms Louis made arrangements to return to The Bahamas once she was advised of the circumstances surrounding her children.
The letter continued, “On our client’s arrival in The Bahamas, she (Ms Louis) made inquiries at the Immigration Department and was advised that her children were in fact taken into custody while attempting to travel to America.
“Our client instructs that she has no idea how her children were placed in the position in which they found themselves when they were taken into custody. Our client denies any involvement in the attempted smuggling.
“This matter is of serious concern to our client because she was making excellent progress with the American officials in acquiring status for her children.”
For her children, Ms Louis is willing to present herself to both the Bahamas Department of Immigration and the Royal Bahamas Police Force to be interviewed, said the letter.
According to the letter, Ms Louis’s children were staying with her brother in The Bahamas, while she resided and worked in the US.
“We are advised that our client, a legal resident of the United States of America, relocated to America some seven years ago and left her children in the custody of her biological brother.”
The letter continues, “We are instructed our client travels to The Bahamas every two to three months to visit with her children and has applied to the American authorities for status for her children to have her children live and reside with her in America.”
According to documentation provided to this newspaper, Ms Louis was born in The Bahamas to Haitian parents.
Attempts to reach Mr Bell for comment on the matter were unsuccessful up to press time.
This newspaper also tied to contact Ms Louis, however she was not available for an interview.
This matter comes one week after Haitian Chargé d‘affaires Louis Harold Joseph gave more insight into the social and criminal element in Haiti, which he said now has a 60 percent unemployment rate, causing much of the country’s problems.
In addition, several smuggling incidents in The Bahamas have caused concern, especially following the tragic death of some 17 migrants who died after a boat overturned in rough seas near Blackbeard’s Cay earlier this year, according to police.
Comments
M0J0 2 years ago
Sounds fishy
bahamianson 2 years ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
JokeyJack 2 years ago
Those poor Haitians. Scattered mini-burdens across the globe. Soaking up tens of billions in "relief funds" instead of just 60 cents for a condom.
I mean, seriously, what person who loves children would born a child in Haiti? I can only conclude that Haitians truly hate children and love to see them hungry and diseased.
ThisIsOurs 2 years ago
the children have no right to be in the Bahamas. You have no right to remain in country illegally for 18 years then ask for citizenship . Please come get the children and take them to your relatives in Haiti for safe keeping
Flyingfish 2 years ago
You're not correct unfortunately, because the children were born here anchor laws should prevent them from deportation. So idk what the article is really based on. Although whoever her brother is should get child abuse, and negligence charges thrown at him.
The best thing is for the children to be sent to the mother abroad.
thomas 2 years ago
The children are minors and must have adult custodians, either parents or legal guardians. They cannot claim the right to remain here themselves.
ThisIsOurs 2 years ago
the constitution says they have the right to APPLY for citizenship at 18. "APPLY" their is no automatic Bahsmian citizenship for children of foreign parents born in The Bahamas. The constitution also says THE GOVERNMEMT can AT ANY TIME revoke this (clause) right in the interest of national security
Sickened 2 years ago
Perhaps the mother should fly to Haiti and meet the children there? I'm pretty sure she won't be allowed back the in the US after admitting to trying to smuggle her children in.
thomas 2 years ago
Were these children left with a court appointed legal guardian or was the mother parenting from abroad? She should be charged with parental neglect.
M0J0 2 years ago
we all missed 1 point. In order to be on the boat to be smuggled you must first pay. Mum needs to be honest and admit she paid the lil ting but hoped they made it thru.
TalRussell 2 years ago
Another Mother's plea goin' ignored!
It's a timely reminder for why the colony's two mainstream political parties are equally responsible for not learning the lessons, why today's poorest of Haiti popoulaces', were once the wealthiest of popoulaces' in the entire Western Hemisphere. The probability of repercussions will only widen the division. by their refusal to include the Haitian communities voices from being seated around the cabinet table where decision-makers hold discussions and set policies. Once upon time our own British Subjects sailed off to Haiti in hopes snagging lucrative pay cheques ― Yes?
DEDDIE 2 years ago
The law that allows for deportation of children born to foreign parent was and still is impractical. If the law was followed by the letter the Bahamas would have had thousands of Haitians kids applying for citizenship upon turning eighteen with no connection to the Bahamas. Better they stay in the Bahamas and get a Bahamian education and learn English.
ThisIsOurs 2 years ago
You missed the part where they have the right to "apply". Not one thing says that application has to be approved. In fact the constitution also says the "right to apply" can be revoked in the interest of national security. And if we were ever in a situation where national security and right revocation could be invoked, it is today. If you see "thousands" of Haitian children applying at 18 you are in crisis and your national security is under threat
tribanon 2 years ago
Deport both daughters back to Haiti. No exceptions whatsoever in cases like this.
And Bahamas Immigration should send an official letter to U.S. Immigration advising that the mother of these children, who claims to be a U.S. resident, was involved in the attempted illegal smuggling of her Haitian children into the U.S. via the Bahamas.
We need to stay focused on our own Bahamian children in great need during these most difficult times. End of story.
carltonr61 2 years ago
https://www.worldoil.com/news/2010/1/27…
carltonr61 2 years ago
Haiti has more oil than Venezuela. According to the above information. And good news for Defense Force trip to Haiti. https://www.rt.com/news/565408-biden-ha…
ThisIsOurs 2 years ago
The solution to the Haitian problem is not for the Bahamas to go under accepting all comers legal and illegal. What they need is a tactical force to infiltrate and take down the gangs. that is NOT something our defense force is trained to do. Im not even sure any world force could, have they succeeded in doing that in Latin America or Afghanistan? But if the Bahamas needed help like Haiti needs help Id want someone to come and help but it wouldnt help us if that force was destroyed as soon as it landed. by cholera or gangs.
Their solution is a restored Haiti. That restoration begins with intelligence and then a plan based on intelligence to dismantle the gangs. That needs to happen yesterday. Then they need an economic solution. What can they offer the world that would see them making liveable wages, manufacturing plants, crops, technology, how long to realization and what financial support do they need in the gap ensuring the money bypasses corrupt officials. What is wrong with black countries and corruption??? They also need a natural disaster plan cuz they are very susceptible to tipping into chaos
ThisIsOurs 2 years ago
Correction it's not only black countries where corruption flourishes from the President and his cabinet, its exhibited in Russia, Turkey, Latin America,... I think the common thread is a group of powerful people who concentrate wealth among them and stifle empowerment and innovation with "intention". I think that's it. The common man is meant to remain a servant carrying out mostly low wage jobs while monied contracts are only given to friends and family. In that system corruption flourishes, not just one or two ministers but organized and directed from the leader
ThisIsOurs 2 years ago
The world is failing Haiti just like it failed Ukraine
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