Brent Symonette says: Complicated deportation processes, fraudulent immigration documents and Bahamians harboring illegal migrants are just a few of the issues that continue to plague the Department of Immigration...

Brent Symonette highlights persistent immigration woes



JUAN McCARTNEY
Guardian Senior Reporter
thenassauguardian
juan@nasguard.com

Complicated deportation processes, fraudulent immigration documents and Bahamians harboring illegal migrants are just a few of the issues that continue to plague the Department of Immigration, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette has said.

Symonette said when the 2010-2011 budgetary period closed at the end of June, the Carmichael Road Detention Center was populated by “a number of nationals” who are difficult to repatriate.

“In one case I think we had to pay $6,000 [or so] for the ticket to send that person home,” Symonette said at a press conference Thursday.

“We have a budget of $1,000,000 [or so]. Obviously a large percentage of that is [to repatriate] persons in the immediate area in the Caribbean. But we are seeing a number of Nigerians [and] a number of persons from the African continent coming in.

“[And those people] are very difficult to get home because they have to get visas for the countries that they pass through.”

Symonette said repatriating people to Cuba is also “a difficult issue.”

“If you’ve been outside Cuba more than 11 months, there comes some difficulty [with] deporting persons back to Cuba,” he said.

Symonette said even though the population at the detention center is relatively low at the moment, there is still a lot to be done to get those detainees home.

He also said that forged papers are continually submitted to immigration officials.

“I came across a file (Wednesday) with a letter written in [a particular] year that looked neater than this paper that was done (Wednesday),” said Symonette as he pointed to an actual immigration file.

“The stamps even felt wet. It’s a serious issue. Immigration reports them to police and then the police take over.”

He also noted that immigration officials continue to find Bahamians helping illegal immigrants evade the law.

“We may have to look at the laws regarding harboring of illegals and start charging people who harbor illegal immigrants,” he said.

Jul 16, 2011

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Brent Symonette says comments made by Branville McCartney - leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), about "clandestine operations" at the Department of Immigration were "irresponsible"

DPM: Bran's comments were 'irresponsible'


By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
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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

tribune242

The fact that persons are now engaging in vigilante justice in The Bahamas... is an indication that they don't have any more faith in the criminal justice system

Aggressive methods needed in crime fight

thenassauguardian

The criminals in this country don't fear the government at all. They don't regard the laws of the land. I understand that approximately 300 or so career criminals are the ones responsible for all the mayhem currently being experienced in Nassau. These villains are holding over 200,000 law-abiding citizens of New Providence hostage. I have also noticed a very dangerous trend that is currently developing in Nassau. It appears that some of the friends and family members of murder victims are now hiring hit men to bump off murder suspects who are released from prison. The government must now take its head out of the sand and face this reality.

The fact that persons are now engaging in vigilante justice is an indication that they don't have any more faith in the criminal justice system. They are just fed up with the system. As far as these vigilantes are concerned, the justice system has failed them miserably. Therefore, since the system is hell bent on releasing these cold-blooded murderers, the vigilantes are now going after them.

The justice system is breeding a whole new kind of criminal in this country. Analysts have been warning for years now that this very dangerous situation would occur if the system continued to tap murderers on the wrist. No one paid them any mind. Now the chickens have come home to roost. My brother told me that while working in a barbershop in Freeport he overheard a young man who appeared to be very upset, vowing that he would take revenge on a person he believed had murdered a family member of his. This person was livid that the justice system had let the suspect in the case get off scot-free. I believe that the government must now move to implement drastic measures in order to put an end to the crime wave that is gripping The Bahamas.

The murder rate has skyrocketed in 2011. We have had a staggering 72 murders committed in just over six months in this small country. We are becoming like lawless Jamaica. Armed robberies and house break-ins are rampant, especially in the inner city communities of Nassau.

Governments were instituted by God to punish criminals. When the government fails to carry out its God-given mandate to punish murderers, thieves and rapists, then these monsters continue to break the law.

The government has been too soft in its approach to dealing with these criminals. It is high time that the government starts executing murderers and rapists. The criminals who are terrorizing Nassau know that institutions such as the Privy Council are fighting tooth and nail to keep them from marching to the gallows.

The government should immediately abandon the Privy Council. We are an independent nation. We have been independent now for 38 years. Why is the government so afraid to execute convicted murderers?

A relative of mine told me that a young man who was convicted of murder bragged to her about killing a young woman who had rejected his sexual advances. According to my relative, the ex-convict appeared to be very proud that he had killed another human being. There was absolutely no remorse in the young man. These are the kinds of people defense attorneys are fighting hard for. Yet, we wonder why so many persons are now taking matters into their own hands by engaging in vigilante justice.

The family members of murder and rape victims know that the culprits are going to get a simple tap on the wrist for their hideous crimes. The government had better start executing convicted murderers before this new trend gets way out of control. Otherwise, Nassau will become another Dodge City.

The government must also give serious thought to implementing corporal punishment for sex offenders such as pedophiles, sodomites and rapists. These sex offenders should be flogged in public. Those who are contemplating committing rape, or any other sexual offense, would think twice before going through with the crime if they were to see a convicted sex offender publicly humiliated. These rapists must be taught a lesson.

In regards to armed robbers and thieves, the state should make them pay restitution to those they stole from. For instance, if a thief steals a $800 laptop from me, he should be made to pay me fourfold for his theft. That would mean he would pay me $3,200 for my laptop. This was the law that God gave to Old Testament Israel in Exodus chapter 22.

I understand that the prison system already has a work program. The thieves should work off their debt before being released from prison. If they are unwilling to do this, then let them rot in prison.

I often hear people talking about convicts paying their debts to society. But how is a convict paying his debt to society when he hasn't been forced to make some kind of restitution to the person he wronged? He may have repaid the state by serving time in Fox Hill prison, but let us bear in mind that he wronged a citizen, not the state. This is unfair to the person who was wronged. This has to change in order to bring to a screeching halt this menacing crime wave that is destroying this country.

Additionally, persons found in possession of illegal firearms should get an automatic 10 years in prison. There are too many illegal guns on the streets of New Providence. Regarding drug traffickers, they should be put to death. Drug trafficking is a capital offense in Singapore. Drug dealers would think twice before engaging in their illegal trade in this country if such a move is made.

How many people have died from drug overdoses? How many of us have had items stolen from us by drug addicts, who then sold them in order to buy more drugs? I believe many of the murders committed in this country are somehow connected to the illicit drug trade.

Granted, these are radical suggestions. But, these are unusual times.

Jul 15, 2011

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...the continued - and in many cases essential -- presence of Haitians in The Bahamas is because many Bahamians have decided that certain work is beneath them

Bahamians vs Haitians in the Bahamas

tribune242 editorial


EVERY MAN will have his day in the sun.

Bahamians complain that if "something" is not done about the Haitian "problem," Haitians will take over the Bahamas. That consequence really depends upon Bahamians. Already the continued - and in many cases essential -- presence of Haitians in our country is because many Bahamians have decided that certain work is beneath them. "Not me!" they scornfully snarl. "That Haitian work!"

Well, if that's Haitian work, Haitians will always be needed to do it. In other words Haitians -- if essential standards are to be maintained -- are necessary to the Bahamian's social well being. As the late Dr Cleveland Eneas, a dentist, once asked -- long before there was a Haitian problem -- if every Bahamian became a doctor, dentist, teacher, etc, who would be left to clean his car so that he could practise his dentistry? These were the days when then prime minister the late Sir Lynden Pindling told young Bahamian Johnnies and Suzies that if the PLP became the government someone would be picking up after them -- "no longer would they be hewers of wood and drawers of water."

It was that disdainful attitude to honest work that opened the door to the Haitians. For three square meals a day and able to send money back to their families in Haiti, they had no objection to being hewers of wood and drawers of water, and any other honest labour that came in between.

In schools Haitian children are noted for being bright -- they are at the top of their classes, they walk away with many of the prizes, academically they push Bahamian students to the sidelines. It is not because they are brighter. It's because they work harder, and they work harder because it's the lot of the underdog. Chewing harder and longer at the bone is the only way an underdog knows how to become top dog.

Labouring Haitian parents have ambition for their children. They watch over them. As one MP noted in parliament: If you see a small child being walked to school by a parent you know that's a Haitian child. When they come from school, they don't sit on walls with their chums, or idle their time before a television set, or get up to mischief in gangs; they go home and do their homework. And in the evening they are at home -- still at their books -- with their parents.

The problem with many Bahamians is their idea of entitlement. They believe that they are entitled to the good life without effort. If this attitude is not discouraged at a very early age and the dignity of hard work raised to a higher level -- yes, the Haitians will eventually take over -- and Bahamians will only have themselves to blame.

Just consider the history of women. Treated in ancient times by certain tribes almost as pack animals, and even today by certain sects as man's possession to do with as he will, women are holding important posts in today's world. Some men complain that women are taking over. It is true, women have taken over because they have had to work longer hours for their achievements. The time came when women broke through the glass ceiling that held them down. They could no longer be ignored.

We recall as a child admiring the well built, slim frames of Fox Hill women, who walked daily downtown from Fox Hill, balancing a large basket of produce on their heads to sell in the market. And at night they walked back home with their earnings stuffed in a pocket of their long skirts. There was no problem of obesity in those days. They were strong, hardworking, handsome women. Today their highly educated granddaughters and great-granddaughters drive to work in cars and hold top positions in the country. These women worked and studied harder because they were competing in a man's world. Many men fell by the wayside, not because they were less bright, but because they took too much for granted.

When we returned to the Bahamas with three degrees from three different universities, and were helping form public opinion from a desk in The Tribune, we still could not vote in a general election.

Our Bahamian gardener, who could neither read nor write, had more say in the government of our country than we had when he marked his X at his polling division in a general election.

Bahamian women got the vote for the first time in 1962. Their fight was long and hard, but eventually they not only arrived, but they are dominating.

And so the future for the Haitians in this country depends upon Bahamians.

As Will and Ariel Durant pointed out in one of their many books on Civilization: "No great nation is ever conquered until it has destroyed itself" from within. The authors then listed the many causes for internal destruction, among them "disturbance of economic life by political disorder, the corruption of democracy... the decay of morals and patriotism..." and we might add the break down of the family.

July 12, 2011

tribune242 editorial

Caribbean Blog International

The Bahamas is establishing the wrong leadership tradition... Bahamian men have become as powerful as the political system they oversee

When will the general election loser depart?

thenassauguardian editorial



A general election looms. The opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has selected about half of the candidates it will field for the contest. The governing Free National Movement (FNM) is finishing its agenda in an effort to present to the people a case it hopes is convincing enough for re-election.

At this stage it is unclear who will lead the next government, especially considering that Branville McCartney’s Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has entered the contest.

Consideration of the fate of the party leaders after the contest is almost as interesting as consideration of which party will win the election.

Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie entered the House of Assembly in 1977. Since then, each has won his seat in every successive election. In doing so, both men have amassed much political power.

The Bahamas is a democracy with a political party system that is not so democratic. Once the post of party leader is secured, in The Bahamas it is up to the leader to determine when he will leave.

No FNM can defeat Ingraham and become party leader; no PLP can defeat Christie and become party leader.

Many assume the loser at the next general election will walk away from front-line politics soon after the votes are counted. This assumption is largely based on the age of the men. Christie will be 68 this year and Ingraham 64.

But with so much power, and the inability to be defeated in a party contest, should we assume that either man would leave right away?

Ingraham has said repeatedly that he will listen to the people. If they want him to go, he says he will go graciously. When the FNM lost in 2002, he left. He did this before hearing that ‘voice of the people’ asking him to return. If that voice calls him again, would he listen again at the age of almost 70?

Christie would be a two-time loser if the PLP is defeated again by the FNM. In the Westminster tradition leaders say goodbye at this point. Christie, though, does not like to be forced to decisions about his leadership of the PLP. A scenario could emerge where he says he would stay on as leader for a year or so after a second consecutive defeat in order to allow for the election of another party leader.

A year or so could stretch into a long time.

Pondering this question about the futures of these men reveals the weakness of our political system. If they want to stay, both could withstand for some time the voices in their parties who would want them to go.

Both men should be admired for being Machiavellian enough to have secured enough power to determine how it will end. They are both extraordinary politicians.

The country, though, is establishing the wrong leadership tradition. Men have become as powerful as the political system they oversee.

Sir Lynden Pindling was suffering from terminal cancer when he finally retired from politics. His political sons will too say when they will go. And with the ultimate power to decide, no one should assume when the loser will say goodbye.

We should not blame them for winning the political fights and securing this power. Instead, Bahamians should become more involved with politics and the main political parties beyond merely expressing views at election time.

Bahamians have the power to shape the political culture of this country.

This must be done through active participation. We can only get quality leadership if it is demanded.

More of the electorate needs to influence and guide the political party system on a more consistent basis. Currently, too few people who think too similarly control and run the major political parties.

If a broader selection of Bahamians would become involved with this system, men will have less control over their political futures than they currently do.

Jul 09, 2011

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Caribbean Blog International

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham: During the past 38 years of National independence, we have evolved from a small colony on the periphery of the British Empire into a vibrant democracy and international business centre; proud of our social and political stability and determined to broaden economic opportunities for every citizen

Our evolution into a vibrant democracy

tribune242



PRIME Minister Hubert Ingraham yesterday wished all Bahamians a happy and safe independence weekend.

In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Ingraham said: "During the past 38 years we have evolved from a small colony on the periphery of the British Empire into a vibrant democracy and international business centre, proud of our social and political stability and determined to broaden economic opportunities for every citizen.

"Our success to date is manifested in the fact that we enjoy one of the highest per capita incomes among countries in the Americas."

Nevertheless, the prime minister added, in recent years the Bahamas, like much of the rest of the world, has endured economic hardships as a result of the global economic recession.

He said: "In the face of such adversity we responded in ways reflective of the theme of this year's anniversary celebrations (38 years - United in Love and Service).

"We preserved public sector jobs, increased social assistance programmes, introduced an unemployment benefit, implemented a short term jobs programme, implemented a jobs training programme and accelerated planned infrastructure projects so as to improve service to the Bahamian people while protecting private sector jobs and serving as a catalyst for more job creation."

Mr Ingraham said these initiatives are now being expanded to include new job readiness training, a new jobs creation programme and special targeted initiatives to support small and medium size businesses.

He said these will contribute to the country's planned return to economic prosperity as the world economy and that of the Bahamas continues to recover.

The prime minister added: "Sadly, our celebration of this 38th anniversary of nationhood is marred by a continued high incidence of crime.

"While the government has mounted a multifaceted response to the problem it is increasingly important that all Bahamians unite in sending a clear message to the small minority of persons who break our social contract of good neighbourliness and who choose to live outside of the law, that we will neither tolerate nor excuse their criminal behaviour.
Reflect
"In this regard, we should all recall and reflect upon the important role that the extended family and the neighbourhood have played in our development as a people who are open and welcoming, who share easily and who believe that service is a virtue.

"As is my custom, I wish to once again use this year's Independence Day Message to thank all those who serve our people throughout the year, those in the private sector, in our churches and civic organisations, and throughout the public sector. I wish also to acknowledge and thank all those who work in our diplomatic, tourism and maritime services internationally.

"Many of them will celebrate independence at their overseas post where they pursue our country's interests internationally. I acknowledge their sacrifice and thank them for their continued service to our country.

"We will face many challenges in the year ahead: achieving economic recovery and expansion, protecting our environment from degradation in the face of climate change and sea level rise, safeguarding the supply and cost of energy and of food and winning our war on crime.

"We are a hardy people, self-reliant and bolstered by a long tradition of resourcefulness and self-reliance. So as we celebrate this 38th anniversary of our independence we recall those qualities.

"Fellow Bahamians, on this special national anniversary I extend my very best for a happy and safe Independence Day and pray God's blessings upon our nation and upon each and every one of us."

July 09, 2011

tribune242

Caribbean Blog International

A modern Bahamas must adopt modern ways of conducting its affairs, and if we are to contemplate a reform of our tax structure, we ought to look at all forms of taxation and select the most efficient and the most appropriate for the benefit of all Bahamians

Tax reform needed

thenassauguardian editorial



Given the fiscal performance of the economy over the past few years and especially in the midst of the global recession, it has become increasingly clear that the days of relying on customs duties for the majority of the government’s revenue are rapidly coming to an end.
The arguments against, and the analyses of the current tax regime are as numerous as they are compelling.

The more often repeated reasons are that customs duty as a major source of government revenue has outlived its usefulness because the system is extremely insensitive to changing circumstances in the economy; it is unintentionally unfair and regressive in its impact, particularly on low-income households and at best, it distorts the orderly and efficient working of a market economy.

To which we can add, in the context of the predominantly retail and wholesale services sector of the Bahamian economy: it ties up too much of the cash flow in advance of the first sale or turnover of the imported goods.

Some have argued, rather convincingly, that consideration ought to be given to introducing a more progressive tax regime, such as the value added tax (VAT), a tax regime that is used in more than 170 countries and that is generally considered less onerous on low-income households and small businesses.

Since the tax is levied on both goods and services, it is believed that the government’s overall take could increase without having to increase the tax rate.

Indeed, there may be scope for reduction in tax rates and fees in some specific categories.
In a country such as The Bahamas, that has historically boasted of its distaste for imposing direct taxes on income, the VAT has a certain amount of appeal in the sense that it has the potential to increase the tax yield to government without having to concede its historical adherence to no tax on income.

Given the developments over the past few years with the removal of the veil of secrecy and confidentiality as regards to bank accounts in The Bahamas, and more recently the almost 30 tax information agreements (TIEA’s) signed by the government and other foreign jurisdictions, perhaps the time has come to re-examine tax reform in The Bahamas beyond the consideration of a VAT.

Consideration could be given to a broad-based or selective income tax regime which would permit the country to enter into double-taxation agreements, and by so doing obtain tax income from foreign companies operating in The Bahamas without increasing the overall tax burden to those companies since — by the double taxation treaty — the existing tax would be shared between our Public Treasury and that of the company’s home country.

Such a move could also provide added protection against the OECD’s constant threats to destabilize the so-called “tax haven” countries.

A modern Bahamas must adopt modern ways of conducting its affairs, and if we are to contemplate a reform of our tax structure, we ought to look at all forms of taxation and select the most efficient and the most appropriate for the benefit of all Bahamians.

Jul 08, 2011

thenassauguardian editorial

Caribbean Blog International