DPM: Bran's comments were 'irresponsible'
By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
tribune242
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net
GOVERNMENT officials are refuting claims made by the Democratic National Alliance about "clandestine operations" at the Department of Immigration.
Acting Prime Minister Brent Symonette said comments made by Branville McCartney, leader of the DNA, were "irresponsible."
Mr McCartney, a former minister of state for immigration, claimed that "disgruntled employees" in his former office told his party that around 2,000 illegal immigrants are to be "secretly" regularised as Bahamian citizens.
However, Mr Symonette told The Tribune this could not be further from the truth.
He said citizenship applications are being processed based on the same procedures used by Mr McCartney during his time at the ministry, although much of the process has since been digitised.
Applicants go through a detailed vetting process, where they are usually required to produce birth certificates, health records and school records. They are required to participate in interviews, usually several.
Ultimately, the Cabinet, serving as the board of immigration, gives the final authorisation during a monthly immigration meeting, said Mr Symonette. The basic process is the same for citizenship and permanent residency applications, except in the case of spousal applications, which do not have to go to Cabinet.
"Nothing has changed in the process since Branville McCartney was minister of state. He did not change the process. I haven't changed his process. I met the process there before when I was minister in 1992. That is the process," said Mr Symonette.
"Any issue or question that it was done secretly, clandestinely, or whatever word, is totally irresponsible. I have outlined the process. The leader of the DNA made no attempt as a senior minister, as far as I am aware, to change that process. He met it there and he left it there," he said.
The only recent change that may be causing confusion for the DNA, Mr Symonette said, is a new initiative at the department aimed at processing some 1,300 applications for citizenship and permanent residency that have been catching dust for decades.
A special project team was employed to deal with these back-logged cases, while the permanent staff continues to process current applications.
As for the swearing in ceremony conducted for successful applicants, Mr Symonette said that ceremony is not public. It is attended by senior government officials and family members.
In New Providence, he said the ceremony takes place in the "swearing in room." In Grand Bahama, he said, it takes place in the Prime Minister's office, and in Abaco, he said, it takes place in a Marsh Harbour court house.
In all cases, Mr Symonette said, applicants seeking citizenship are required to demonstrate knowledge of the Bahamas, including the pledge of allegiance, national anthem and national symbols, during the interview stage.
He said there was a class covering this information started under McCartney's watch, but which "ceased while he was still minister of state."
"They were a one-morning issue. I don't want to give the impression you came in on Saturday for weeks," added Mr Symonette.
July 15, 2011
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