A group of non-governmental organisations is urging government to take drastic measures to address the country’s illegal migration problems, recommending round-ups and deportations of certain groups and harsh penalties for those found employing or harbouring illegal immigrants.
Members of Civil Society Bahamas said yesterday that they want the government to immediately implement their Action Plan, which also calls for demolishing all shantytowns.
“Successive governments over several decades have failed to deal with the problem of illegal immigration,” Civil Society president Fred Munnings said in an interview at the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce on Thursday.
“In a recent non-governmental organisation meeting, emotions ran high to the point of prima facie violent outbursts. This is symptomatic of the inner frustration held by every Bahamian on the vexing problem, and more so, on the government’s inability or inactivity in laying out and executing a proper action plan to deal with the problem.”
But Labour and Immigration Minister Vincent Peet said that long-standing problems like illegal migration in The Bahamas require time to produce adequate solutions.
The Action Plan, titled “How To Solve The Illegal Immigration Problem and How To Deal With Other Related Immigration Matters” is based on presentations, suggestions, public feedback and opinions.
Mr. Munnings said that Civil Society came up with the Action Plan after it did not receive a response from the government on its request for a plan within 45 days, after the outcome of a town meeting was forwarded to officials.
The key areas of the plan suggest that all illegal immigrants who have been in the Bahamas prior to 1985 should be regularised and be granted permanent residency with permission to work; children born to illegal immigrants who have reached the age of 18 should be granted citizenship, if it is their choice; the round up and deportation of all illegal immigrants in The Bahamas who arrived in the country after 1985, and their children repatriated; any Bahamian found employing foreigners without work permits should be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law; and harbouring illegal immigrants should immediately be made a criminal offence.
The plan also recommends that any person who has been granted citizenship or permanent residency status who is found guilty of harbouring illegal immigrants must have their citizenship or permanent residency revoked and deported immediately; and all shantytowns should be demolished, among other things.
Meanwhile Labour and Immigration Minister Vincent Peet said the issue of illegal migration in The Bahamas is not a new one and could not be solved overnight.
Mr. Peet pointed out that his ministry has complied a document which is now before Cabinet. He said that the document contains recommendations from a number of non-governmental organisations, including Civil Society Bahamas.
“It’s very clear what the immigration situation is in The Bahamas,” Minister Peet said in an interview on Thursday. “It’s very clear that it is not an overnight situation and we have all admitted and acknowledged that.
“This government has a very focused plan which is now before the Cabinet, which includes recommendations for all sectors of society including Civil Society, but no one group determines how to deal with immigration.”
Mr. Peet said that immigration is a national problem that has been with The Bahamas for more than 50 years and government is now dealing with it in a focused way.
The minister said that following cabinet’s approval a comprehensive report would be presented to the public, containing recommendations from local pastors, the Haitian community, Bahamian leaders, The College of The Bahamas, and the labour movement.
The Civil Society’s plan also touched on other immigration matters, including work permits, citizenship and proper training for Bahamian workers.
The Action Plan is to be distributed to all relevant government ministries.
“It is our view that the Action Plan could be fully implemented in four to six months,” said the society. “Should the government fail to execute the Action Plan and deal with the illegal immigration problem, it is our view that the national security of The Bahamas will be severely compromised, as violent uprisings may occur.”
By: Perez Clarke, The Bahama Journal
