New Rules To Tackle Illegal Immigration
Tribune242:
IMMIGRATION Minister Fred Mitchell announced that government will impose new immigration restrictions in a bid to clamp down on illegal migration, particularly from Haiti.
This
includes the consideration of a ban on people who have previously
entered the Bahamas illegally and have been deported from ever obtaining
legal status. As of November, the government will also impose new work
permit procedures, the Fox Hill MP said.
He
said the government will also mandate, as of November, that all people
living in the Bahamas have a passport of their nationality.
“With
effect from November 1, 2014 new procedures are to come into force with
regard to work permit procedures, and it is envisaged that the
regulations will be amended and the policies accordingly,” he said.
He
said that as of November 1, the government aims to have employers who
are applying for first-time work permit holders who are residents of
Haiti to come to the Department of Immigration and pay the $100
processing fee, provide a labour certificate, cover letter, stamp tax of
$30 and the employee information sheet in Nassau.
He
said that information will be forwarded to the Embassy of the Bahamas
in Port-au-Prince, Haiti where the applicant will fill out the
application form and provide the supporting documents. The applicant
must be certified as personally seen by an embassy officer in Port au
Prince, he said.
“I
also wish to announce that we will as of November 1 require all persons
who live in the Bahamas to have a passport of the country of their
nationality,” Mr Mitchell said. “Those people who have been born here
will get a particular residence permit which will allow them to work and
live here until such time as their status pursuant to any application
under the terms of the Constitution is decided.
“This
will also allow access of children to school. This will not apply to
the children of those who are here illegally. The Haitian president and
the ambassador have confirmed that they will be able to meet the demand
for these passports.”
Mr
Mitchell said that holding a foreign passport does not prejudice the
right of anyone under the Constitution to apply for citizenship of the
Bahamas.
He
also said that “with immediate effect” the government will not accept
applications for people who do not have legal status to work in the
country.
“Anyone
who comes to do so, the application will be refused and the applicant
will be arrested and charged and deported,” he said in the House of
Assembly. “The Cabinet is considering a permanent prospective ban on all
people who have come here illegally and have been deported so that they
will not ever be able to qualify for a permanent status in the Bahamas.
“We
are allowing a period for comment before proceeding with a formal
proposal in this regard. The intention is to have new regulations or
policies in place on this subject by January 1, 2015, subject to any
exigencies,” he said.
It
is also proposed that as of November 1, the practice of issuing
certificates of identity to non-nationals born here will cease.
“These
will only be for Bahamians who have a need for an emergency travel
document or where in accordance with our international obligations we
are to issue them to non-nationals,” the minister said.
He said the new rules are necessary to crack down on the “criminality involved in immigration”.
“This
requires the efforts of all Bahamians to guard our borders and protect
our country. We are particularly concerned about what is happening in
Abaco and special attention is being paid to that island and to
Eleuthera where many residents believe that things have gotten totally
out of hand. It is important for us to address it before it gets out of
hand.
“There
are reports that there are in some sections of those islands no go
areas for public officials. This cannot stand and this will be stopped.”
Nearly
100 illegal Haitian immigrants were picked up by Defence Force officers
on Monday. On Tuesday five Cubans were picked up by officials on Cay
Lobos.
September 18, 2014
