The Bahamian relationship with the Haitians who migrate here is complicated... Haitians have come to The Bahamas since the creation of the Republic of Haiti in 1804... With the collapse of Jean Claude Duvalier’s regime in the mid-1980s, however, those flows increased ...as Haiti’s poor looked for new lives in new places

Embracing multiculturalism

thenassauguardian editorial

The comments of Haitian President Michel Martelly to Haitian-Bahamians when he recently visited The Bahamas led to much debate.  Martelly advised Bahamians of Haitian descent to form a voting bloc, and to vote for the party that has their best interests at heart.  His remarks exposed raw emotions on the immigration issue in our country.

The modern Bahamas is a nation created through migration.  The Amerindians Christopher Columbus met here 520 years ago are no more.  Europeans and Africans displaced those people when permanent contact was made between the old and new worlds.

Today’s Bahamas is even more ethnically and culturally dynamic.  People from the Middle East, China and India also call this country home.  They bring their experiences to our cultural mix, expanding The Bahamas.

The Bahamian relationship with the Haitians who migrate here is complicated.  Haitians have come to The Bahamas since the creation of the Republic of Haiti in 1804.  With the collapse of Jean Claude Duvalier’s regime in the mid-1980s, however, those flows increased as Haiti’s poor looked for new lives in new places.

Some Bahamians resent the large number of poor Haitians who have come here looking for a second chance.  Some Haitians are upset at the discriminatory treatment they have received from some Bahamians.

Martelly should not have gotten involved in Bahamian politics while visiting.  Staying out of local politics while on foreign trips is a convention of diplomacy, but his intrusion into Bahamian politics is no excuse for bigotry and xenophobia.

The Government of The Bahamas has as a responsibility of carrying out the laws of the country.  It should provide our border protection officers with all the resources needed to prevent people from illegally entering Bahamian territory.  Foreigners who come here illegally should be repatriated in accordance with the law.

But what must be remembered is that those who are given citizenship are Bahamians once that decision is made.  They should be afforded the same rights and privileges as other Bahamians.

We can debate who should be given permanent residence as opposed to citizenship.  Countries have the authority to set residency standards based on the consensus of the times.  However, we should not disparage those given status or argue that they are lesser citizens if citizenship was granted.

In deciding to become part of our community these new Bahamians bring different ideas, languages, traditions, foods and energies to our already multicultural society.  And as a culturally richer community, we should work together to solve common problems.

Haitian-Bahamians should not close themselves off and form exclusive political blocs to defend themselves.  Haitian-Bahamians should, like all other Bahamians, examine the various political parties and candidates and determine who is best to advance The Bahamas.

Conversely, “native” Bahamians should not fear the inclusion of new people into our commonwealth.  What should exist is an immigration policy that can reasonably control who comes to The Bahamas.  We should seek to recruit people from around the world – in the numbers we think reasonable – to add skills to our country.  In doing so, we as a nation become stronger.

When governments are unable to police the flow of people to a territory, the established community becomes suspicious.  Hence, it is important for clear immigration policy to exist and resources to be provided to help ensure the policy is enforced.

We hope the passions cool on this issue.  Ethnic rivalry has made many countries unstable and has led to conflict and war.

Mar 23, 2012

thenassauguardian editorial

Caribbean Blog International

Bahamians of Haitian descent did not see anything wrong with Haitian President Michel Martelly’s message to Haitian-Bahamians and Haitians on his recent visit to The Bahamas

Young Haitian-Bahamians weigh in on Martelly controversy

By Krystel Rolle
Guardian Staff Reporter
krystel@nasgaurd.com

Two Bahamians of Haitian descent have weighed in on the raging debate over Haitian President Michel Martelly’s recent controversial statements, saying that his comments were “blown out of proportion” and “misunderstood”.

During an interview on the Star 106.5 FM radio program ‘Jeffrey’ on Monday evening, Manishka Desinor, 26, who was naturalized three years ago, and Allie Lafleur, 28, who was naturalized recently, said they did not see anything wrong with Martelly’s message to Haitian-Bahamians and Haitians last Tuesday.

As previously reported by The Nassau Guardian, in a meeting with over 6,000 Haitians and Haitian-Bahamians at the Church of God Auditorium on Joe Farrington Road, Martelly urged them to align themselves with the political party that will best serve their interests.

“I told them to organize themselves and identify in the upcoming elections who is on their side. That way they can become a force. By being [unified] in the elections they might have people taking care of them. . .this is the democratic way,” the Haitian president said.

His comments sparked outrage among some Bahamians.

But Desinor and Lafleur do not see why his comments caused such a ruckus.

“I don’t think [Bahamians] should be upset about that,” Lafleur said.

“It’s just a comment he’s making to the people. He’s not telling you who to vote for. I can understand if he’s telling you to vote for the PLP or the DNA, then yeah, you could be offended. But he isn’t saying go ahead and vote for [any party]. He’s telling you to vote for the party of your choice.”

Desinor agreed.

“I don’t think he meant to cause any harm or make Bahamians feel like he’s butting into our affairs,” she said, adding that the media misinterpreted Martelly’s statements.

But some members of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) did see it that way.

In fact, DNA leader Branville McCartney called for Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham’s resignation, suggesting that the prime minister invited Martelly for political gain.

Ingraham has since refuted that claim.

PLP leader Perry Christie also took issue with Martelly’s statements, suggesting that the Haitian president was out of order.

But Lafleur said he thinks the PLP and the DNA are using the issue for political gain.

Desinor said she doesn’t know anyone in the Haitian community who intends to follow Martelly’s advice to form a voting bloc.

In fact, she said she is considering voting for an independent candidate.

Desinor became eligible to vote about three years ago when her application for citizenship was granted, a process that she said took three years.

Lafleur said he was naturalized 10 years after he applied.

Even though both Desinor and Lafleur’s parents are Haitians who illegally migrated to The Bahamas, the pair who were born in The Bahamas said they are just as much Bahamian as those born to Bahamian parents.

“I don’t consider myself a Haitian. I think of myself as a Bahamian,” Desinor said.

They both claimed that they have been discriminated against because of their parents’ nationality.

Desinor said that when she was growing up she felt “terrible and out of place; like I didn’t belong.”

While they don’t agree that people who were born here to Haitian parents are stateless, they admitted that it is frustrating not having Bahamian status upon birth.

“It’s stressful at times, knowing that you want to do things and you can not.  At 18 your life is at a standstill. You can’t do anything until your citizenship is approved,” Desinor said.

Feb 15, 2012

thenassauguardian

Caribbean Blog International

Visiting Haitian President Michel Martelly urged his countrymen to form a voting bloc in The Bahamas and align themselves with the political party that will best serve their interests

Haitians told ‘form voting bloc’

by Taneka Thompson
Guardian Senior Reporter
taneka@nasguard.com

Haitian President Michel Martelly yesterday urged his countrymen to form a voting bloc in The Bahamas and align themselves with the political party that will best serve their interests.

“I told them to organize themselves and identify in the upcoming elections who is on their side. That way they can become a force.  By being [unified] in the elections they might have people taking care of them. . .this is the democratic way,” Martelly told reporters yesterday.

He was reiterating statements he made in Haitian Creole as he spoke to thousands of Haitians and Haitian-Bahamians who crowded the Church of God on Joe Farrington Road on Tuesday night.

Police on the scene estimated the crowd at 6,000.  Many of them converged outside the hall anxious to hear their president speak.

His meeting with the members of the Haitian community in The Bahamas kicked off his brief official visit to the country.

Many people of Haitian descent who were born in The Bahamas, and some Haitians who came to The Bahamas illegally many years ago have been granted citizenship over the years.

Martelly said he heard reports of Haitians being mistreated in The Bahamas, for example being arrested for illegal immigration although they had permits to work or reside in the country.

He also lamented the plight of ‘stateless’ people who have to wait until their 18th birthday to apply for Bahamian citizenship even though they were born in this country.

“So until they’re 18 they don’t belong to anywhere, and yet they were born here, meaning do I have to tell anyone if you send them back to Haiti they probably don’t know anybody or won’t recognize the place where they land?.

“This could be considered as a crime, but that’s not the issue to talk about crime here; the issue is to stand by them and find the right solution. Be responsible, be humans and see how to better assist these Haitians,” said Martelly at a press conference at the British Colonial Hilton hotel yesterday.

However, he said he did not urge Haitians living here to protest, but instead use this country’s democratic system to work in their favor.

“I could not ask my people to riot for their right, this is not what I want,” he said.

The president said his government is working to create job opportunities so his people do not have to leave the country to make better lives elsewhere.

At the meeting with Haitians Tuesday night, Martelly encouraged them to return home and help rebuild the poor nation. He said it would be hard to convince foreign investors to help develop the country if its own people are leaving in droves.

An official who works for the Haitian Embassy translated his comments into English for The Nassau Guardian.

“I’m asking for your support, everyone get together with me, unite with me. We are going to create jobs for Haiti so Haitians don’t have to leave Haiti to look for jobs elsewhere,” he said in Creole, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

“. . .Those that want to leave now I’m telling you go with me tomorrow.”

The purpose of Martelly’s visit was to rebrand Haiti as a nation ripe for investment and full of opportunities.

The president, who was elected last April, said Haiti is no longer looking for international aid but wants to forge new ties in trading.

The country needs foreign investors to help build homes, roads and other infrastructure for the struggling country, according to the president.

Yesterday, Martelly met with Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, leader of the Opposition Perry Christie, members of the Chamber of Commerce and the ministers of immigration, national security and tourism.

Feb 09, 2012

thenassauguardian

Caribbean Blog International

We do not know what to do with the large number of undocumented Haitians who reside in shantytowns ...especially in New Providence

Eliminate shantytowns

thenassauguardian editorial

Haiti is in a state of crisis. It is an occupied country that was devastated by a massive earthquake. This calamity added to the misery of a people who are from the poorest country in the hemisphere.

The Bahamas will always have difficulties managing the flow of people from Haiti. We are between Haiti (the poorest country in the hemisphere) and the United States (the richest country in the hemisphere). Haitians come here hoping to get to the U.S. Many stay permanently.

This logical migratory flow has caused a problem in The Bahamas and our policymakers have no solution to it. We do not know what to do with the large number of undocumented Haitians who reside in shantytowns especially in New Providence.

We have previously written about the shantytown problem. This was after the Mackey Yard fire destroyed more than 100 homes. When these events occur many revert to simplistic emotionalism. The response and discourse surrounding the tragedy usually is limited to disaster relief.

The Bahamas, however, must seriously address the shantytown issue before a catastrophe occurs. Government officials speculate that 500 to 700 people lived at the Fire Trail Road site where a fire occurred earlier this year. A fast moving fire could easily consume all the residences of one of these shantytowns. Thousands live in some of these communities.

In 2009, then Minister of State for Immigration Branville McCartney said that 37 shantytowns had been identified in New Providence alone. Two of the biggest shantytowns in the country are in Abaco Pigeon Pea and the Mud.

Our failure to make the tough decisions and remove these unauthorized communities could contribute to a mass tragedy.

All who reside in this country should abide by the local building code and follow town planning guidelines. These laws exist to maintain safety. Haitians, or any other group of migrants, should not be allowed to live in violation of laws all Bahamians and residents should follow.

The goal of the government should be to eliminate shantytowns in The Bahamas. If we do not, one day soon we will be writing about a mass tragedy on one of our islands.

Such a day can be prevented if the state acts decisively.

The ‘silly season’

The political ‘silly season’ has begun.

A general election must be called by May 2012, which in political campaign terms is right around the corner.

The major parties have kicked into high gear, ratifying candidates, and using the broadcast media and world wide web to get their messages out.

The politics of personal destruction reigns supreme in this political culture. And while it did not start yesterday and is not particular to The Bahamas, it’s a culture that a maturing electorate is growing tired of.

There are many issues facing our country, and the Bahamian people deserve to hear how each party plans to address these issues.

We have already broken our murder count for the year; our public education students continue to perform poorly; our healthcare system is stretched; and the illegal immigration problem is still largely out of control.

There is also the pressing issues of job creation. It should not be good enough for a political party to reveal its strategy for the country in a ‘manifesto’ or ‘plan’ released days before the election

Voters should have the opportunity to carefully consider what positions the different political parties take on substantive issues, within a reasonable time, before marking their X.

Local politicians need to spend less time on personal attacks and more time addressing the real issues.

It is time for a new type of politics, one that focuses on urgent national priorities rather than narrow interests; and one that helps to hold our elected officials more accountable for the many promises made from the rally podia.

Voters want politicians with ideas and energy, who have thought deeply about the issues and are committed to making a change for the better, even if it means making tough unpopular decisions.

Oct 08, 2011

thenassauguardian editorial

Caribbean Blog International

Branville McCartney - founder of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) party is so anxious to become the next prime minister of The Bahamas that he is willing to use the sorry plight of illegal Haitians, and their Bahamian-born children to pander to the fears of voting Bahamians

tribune242 editorial


IT IS a tragedy when a politician, so anxious to win an election, panders to the base emotions of an electorate. And in doing so ignores the damaging consequences that his divisive message could have, not only on this generation, but on many generations to come.

Apparently Mr Branville McCartney is so anxious to become the next prime minister of this country that he is willing to use the sorry plight of illegal Haitians, and their Bahamian-born children to pander to the fears of voting Bahamians. Such a campaign of hatred will not only split this community, but will eventually build up such an emotional force that when it breaks in years to come this nation's way of life would be completely destroyed.

One would have thought that the mass killing that targeted young teenagers in Norway these past few days would have been a sufficient tragedy to send a warning signal of what can happen when suspicion and division is built up in a community. Such an atmosphere can inspire one madman to destroy a nation's whole way of life.

Seventy-six people -- most of them teenagers -- were killed in Oslo last week because of one man's fear that Islam threatened Europe's Christian culture. Anders Hering Breivik, himself a young man, was against his country's "multiculturalism," which he believed enabled "the ongoing Islamic colonisation of Europe." And so he wrote a 1,500 page treaties on his beliefs, pleaded not guilty to committing any crime, and almost gloated over the killings, because as a self-proclaimed Christian nationalist he believed it his duty to recreate a Knights Templar in Europe to fight a holy war against Islam.

This bizarre behaviour is usually the end game in an atmosphere of hate and suspicion that can send evil sparks flying in a madman's fevered brain. One only has to read history to understand the underlying racial hatred that has sparked centuries of unrest and most of this world's wars.

Mr McCartney, founder of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), which he promises will be the next government, says that he will fight to change the country's constitution so that children born here to illegal immigrants will not be eligible for citizenship. If elected he will push for a referendum to carry out his plans.

Under the constitution, persons who are born in the Bahamas to illegal immigrants have the right to apply for citizenship between their 18th and 19th birthdays.

We agree with former PLP cabinet minister George Smith who accused Mr McCartney of "trying to pander to the xenophobia of many Bahamians who want to blame some of our social ills on people who by virtue of their circumstances find themselves in the Bahamas illegally."

And warned Mr Smith: "Political leaders should never pander to ignorance and people who are motivated by fear and this is probably what Mr McCartney... is doing."

We agree with Mr Smith. We also agree with retired Anglican Archbishop Drexel Gomez who sees Mr McCartney's "final solution" for Haitian children as "inhumane."

"I cannot understand anyone who is going to seek leadership in this country who is not going to deal with the situation in a humanitarian way," said the Archbishop.

And it is true what the Archbishop says. This country does owe much to immigrants. Many immigrants -- teachers, policemen, doctors and nurses -- helped build the Bahamas. Many of them came as immigrants from other Caribbean islands -- and never forget: our first black member of parliament was a Haitian.

As the Archbishop pointed out these children up to the age of 18 have known no other home.

They speak our language, they belong to our culture, their friends are Bahamian. As far as they are concerned they are also Bahamian. At the age of 18 are they to be thrown into a world that they do not know, because of the myopic prejudice of Bahamians who just a few generations before were also foreigners in a foreign land? Many of the forebears of our present Bahamians were not even born here, yet they became one with us -- flesh of the same flesh -- and put much effort into the building of this nation. What none of us must forget is at some stage or another -- and this includes Mr McCartney -- our forebears were strangers in a foreign land. Today we are all Bahamians. Were our forebears more humane than we are today?

Yes, the Haitian question is a troubling one, but Mr McCartney's solution lacks humanity. It is not the right way to go, and if through this election he builds up an even greater foreign phobia, future generations will not bless his name for lighting a spark that allowed hatred to spiral out of control.

July 29, 2011

tribune242 editorial

Caribbean Blog International

...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 frustration many Bahamians feel with the failed immigration policy in The Bahamas regarding Haitians

Government immigration statements must be clear

thenassauguardian editorial



The Director of the Department of Immigration, Jack Thompson, on Thursday made hawkish statements on the illegal immigration problem in The Bahamas while addressing principals at an event at SuperClubs Breezes Resort.

Thompson, said The Bahamas cannot afford to have illegal immigrants in the public school system “absorbing our resources.”

“You should call me and tell me where they are living because I have to deal with them,” Thompson told the principals.

“We have to hit at the root. The root is the parent. I am not in the business of sending the children home and not the parents or sending the parents and not sending the children. We have to send them together.

“All of them must go and they must go as soon as possible because we can’t have people illegally residing and going to school and absorbing our resources. You know how the community feels about this. The communities are outraged.”

Thompson also emphasized at that event that his department does not, as a matter of policy, apprehend undocumented children at schools.

Thompson’s bold remarks reflect the frustration many Bahamians feel with the failed immigration policy in The Bahamas regarding Haitians.

Successive governments have been unable to slow the flow of people from Haiti to this country. Therefore, there are thousands of people here who were not invited.

All right-thinking people would accept that it is impossible to stop unauthorized Haitian migration to this country. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and it has a population of nearly 10 million. Many Haitians want a fresh start away from the struggling republic.

Many Bahamians, however, think that successive more can be done by our leaders to reduce the flow of Haitians to The Bahamas. This segment of society is frustrated and angry. Those Bahamians want illegal shantytowns demolished and those who are here illegally to be sent home.

By echoing this frustration, however, Thompson went in tone beyond the policy position of the executive branch of government. The Free National Movement (FNM) administration has been moderate in its approach. The FNM has held to the traditional apprehension and repatriation policy, but it has also extended an olive branch, inviting Haitians who have been in the country for long periods of time to come in and be regularized.

The Nassau Guardian published Thompson’s remarks last Friday. It appears as if Thompson’s superiors in the Cabinet were not impressed. On Friday he issued a more conciliatory statement, emphasizing that Immigration will not be targeting undocumented children in schools.

If the Cabinet wants to clarify the position of the government, that’s fine. Policy and tone are dictated by Cabinet. We take issue, however, with the insinuation that this newspaper misconstrued what Thompson said Thursday.

“The Thursday’s article gives the impression that children are to be targeted by the department’s officials. The Department of Immigration regrets this insinuation and strongly condemns any such suggestion or attributions,” said Thompson’s Friday statement.

This newspaper reported what the immigration director said at a public forum. The comments the Cabinet has a problem with were uttered by its head of department. The dispute it has is not with this newspaper and it should not have statements sent out suggesting improper reporting when the issue is one between the executive branch of government and one of its senior officials.

The Friday statement should have simply said that the immigration director was excessive in tone and that the policy of the Cabinet is more moderate.

The Nassau Guardian needs not be involved with the varied policy positions held between senior civil servants and the executive branch of government.

Jul 04, 2011

thenassauguardian editorial

Caribbean Blog International

The Bahamas cannot and should not follow the UN suggestion to not repatriate undocumented Haitians for now due to the current state of Haiti... If The Bahamas stopped repatriating Haitians, those in Haiti who want to leave that island would consider this country their prime destination...

UN Haitian request should be ignored

thenassauguardian editorial



The United Nations is asking countries in the region not to repatriate undocumented Haitians for now due to the current state of their country. Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, is still struggling to recover from the January 2010 earthquake that destroyed much of Port-au-Prince.

The UN is demonstrating humanitarian concern by making the call. And we think those countries that have the resources to allow undocumented Haitians to remain within their territories indefinitely should consider doing so. Such a gesture would change the lives of many Haitians seeking opportunity.

However, The Bahamas cannot and should not follow the UN suggestion. The Bahamas is a developing country struggling to escape recession after the 2008 financial crisis. In 2009, the unemployment rates in New Providence and Grand Bahama exceeded 14 percent and 17 percent, respectively. It is likely that high rates of unemployment persist.

It would be unwise for a developing country such as The Bahamas to allow a large number of uneducated and unskilled people to remain in the country at this time.

The number of Haitians residing in The Bahamas is already significant. Estimates range from 30,000 to 80,000. If The Bahamas stopped repatriating Haitians, those in Haiti who want to leave that island would consider this country their prime destination.

With a population of nearly 10 million in Haiti, there would likely be an unprecedented mass exodus from that country to The Bahamas if we announce that apprehensions and repatriations have been indefinitely suspended.

The Haitian situation is tragic. It is estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 people died as a result of the earthquake. A Cholera outbreak since has killed hundreds. The international community through direct country assistance, the UN and NGOs has done much to help Haiti since.

These efforts should continue and Haitians inside and outside of Haiti should do all they can to help rebuild their homeland. The UN, however, should not expect or pressure fragile developing countries to accept thousands of Haitians during these uncertain economic times.

This policy could actually be disastrous for these countries. The retention of thousands of uneducated and unskilled Haitian migrants would increase unemployment rates in countries throughout this region and it would lead to social tension between indigenous populations looking for work and the new migrant class.

Native populations would resent the increased Haitian presence assuming it to be competition for scare jobs.

The Government of The Bahamas has had the right response thus far to the UN request: it has ignored it. The two richest countries in this hemisphere are the United States and Canada. If those countries want to accept thousands of Haitian refugees, they can. They can afford it. It would be wise for other countries in this region too to ignore the UN.

Jul 01, 2011

thenassauguardian editorial

Caribbean Blog International

Every time an issue with Haitians comes up, it reminds us all how lackadaisical we've been over the years with finding a permanent solution to the illegal Haitian situation in The Bahamas

UN ASKS THE BAHAMAS TO HALT HAITIAN DEPORTATION FOR A WHILE

BY RICK LOWE



CONDITIONS reportedly remain so bad in Haiti that the UN asked several countries, The Bahamas included, if they would stop sending illegal Haitian immigrants back home for a while.

Apparently The Bahamas Government's position is to continue with repatriation efforts until further consultation with Haitian officials.

Every time an issue with Haitians comes up it reminds us all how lackadaisical we've been over the years with finding a permanent solution.

It seems impossible to prevent illegal landings with our limited resources. And our vast area of open water doesn't help. It's easy enough for interceptor vessels to pass sloops and other boats with loads of people looking for a better life entering our territorial waters without seeing each other out there.

So we have two problems. Illegal immigrants arriving on a daily basis and those many Haitians that have lived here, and in many instances, contributed to our country that have no status.

Now comes the hard part. How do we solve these issues?

It's very easy to say we'll stop the boats coming here. But how realistic is that? It seems we have to do a more effective and consistent job of "rounding the recent entrants up" and sending them back. And this is also easier said than done. The Immigration Department can circulate photos of their "raids" every day, but details of the entire process and its effectiveness is what's important. Not press releases.

With regard to those illegal Haitians who have been here for generations we must consider giving them status and property rights of some sort. And they do not have to have the right to vote initially.

We were fortunate to be born in a relatively rich country where opportunity is available for advancement as a general rule. At least the majority of our poor population still seem to live better than most of Haiti's population. So somehow, we have to get past the emotions of this subject, even if only for a short while to arrive at some useful positions to move this issue from the stalemate it has become.

So here are a few recommendations as thought starters:

Policing of illegal immigrants that are here must be improved.

Legalise the status of many of the Haitians who have been here for generations.

Provide property rights for the squatters and,

Figure out how to phase their status in so they can eventually become full citizens or leave voluntarily.

June 27, 2011

tribune242

Caribbean Blog International

Bahamas' shantytown problem

Courting catastrophe with shantytown problem
thenassauguardian editorial




Haiti is in a state of crisis. It is an occupied country that was devastated by a massive earthquake last year. This calamity added to the misery of a people who are from the poorest country in the hemisphere.

The Bahamas will always have difficulties managing the flow of people from Haiti. We are between Haiti (the poorest country in the hemisphere) and the United States (the richest country in the hemisphere). Haitians come here hoping to get to the U.S. Many stay permanently.

This logical migratory flow has caused a problem in The Bahamas and our policymakers have no solution to it. We do not know what to do with the large number of undocumented Haitians who reside in shantytowns – especially in New Providence.

In December we wrote about the shantytown problem. This was after the Mackey Yard fire destroyed more than 100 homes. When these events occur many revert to simplistic emotionalism. The response and discourse surrounding the tragedy usually is limited to disaster relief.

The Bahamas, however, must seriously address the shantytown issue before a catastrophe occurs. Government officials speculate that 500 to 700 people lived at the Fire Trail Road site where yesterday’s fire occurred. A fast moving fire could easily consume all the residences of one of these shantytowns. Thousands live in some of these communities.

In 2009, then Minister of State for Immigration Branville McCartney said that 37 shantytowns had been identified in New Providence alone. Two of the biggest shantytowns in the country are in Abaco – Pigeon Pea and the Mud.

Our failure to make the tough decisions and remove these unauthorized communities could contribute to a mass tragedy.

All who reside in this country should abide by the local building code and follow town planning guidelines. These laws exist to maintain safety. Haitians, or any other group of migrants, should not be allowed to live in violation of laws all Bahamians and residents should follow.

Those who lost homes and possessions in the Mackey Yard fire and yesterday’s Fire Trail Road fire should be helped. They should not be discriminated against because of nationality. The government, churches, businesses and other civic organizations all helped after the December fire. Those groups should help again.

However, the goal of the government should be to eliminate shantytowns in The Bahamas. If we do not, one day soon we will be writing about a mass tragedy on one of our islands.

Such a day can be prevented if the state acts decisively.

3/3/2011

thenassauguardian editorial

Bahamas Blog International

Bishop Simeon Hall: Illegal immigrants would not be in The Bahamas in such high numbers without the "complicity of some corrupt persons in authority

Immigration appeal 'may become joke'
tribune242



THE government's appeal for all illegal immigrants to leave the country must be "substantive" or it will become a "joke", Bishop Simeon Hall warned yesterday.

Brent Symonette, acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, recently ordered all illegal immigrants residing in the Bahamas to voluntarily leave the country or face immediate deportation.

However, Bishop Hall, senior pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church, said the appeal must not only be given to Haitians and Jamaicans but also to Americans, Europeans and Chinese who he says have "corrupted the system by buying their stay here."

The bishop said: "All persons who compromise the immigration laws of the Bahamas must know that the majority of Bahamians are not prepared for them to have a free ride on the back of those who must work hard every day to build this country."

In the statement, Bishop Hall noted that "it is the government's responsibility to enforce all laws of the Bahamas, especially to protect our national sovereignty. Successive governments have promised during election time to deal with the overwhelming problem of illegal immigration in the country, yet it remains a vexing situation."

Bishop Hall also claimed that illegal immigrants would not be in the country in such high numbers without the "complicity of some corrupt persons in authority."

He added: "Illegal immigrants have corrupted many agencies in our Bahamas and this pronouncement by the Minister must have teeth or it becomes laughable."

August 21, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

Illegal Immigrant Policy Shift Confirmed by Minister of Immigration - Brent Symonette

By Candia Dames ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:


After initially declining to provide an explanation on the government's decision to resume repatriations to Haiti, Minister of Immigration Brent Symonette confirmed in a statement last night that the long-standing policy as it regards undocumented Haitian nationals is now back in effect.

The government had shifted the policy following the powerful earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince on January 12.

"The procedures that obtained before the earthquake have been resumed," said Symonette, who is also deputy prime minister. "That is, Haitian illegals will be held at the Detention Centre and repatriated as soon as arrangements can be made."

His statement came several days after The Nassau Guardian revealed exclusively that a group of undocumented Haitian nationals was repatriated to Haiti after being picked up in Long Island.

Symonette also confirmed that the group of Haitians charged in late January with illegal landing has been repatriated.

The repatriation came two months after Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez ordered the illegal immigrants be held for six months at Her Majesty's Prison.

The decision to charge them in court was part of the government's stated policy on immigration following the earthquake.

On Thursday, Director of Immigration Jack Thompson confirmed that the Haitians were sent to Cap Haitien, about 100 miles north of Port-au-Prince.

Symonette advised last night, "Any new illegal immigrants are being apprehended and repatriated as promptly as possible."

He also said that while the policy of apprehension, regularization and repatriation remains constant, changing circumstances may dictate that the government respond to those circumstances in the country's broad national interests at home and abroad.

In his statement last night, Symonette also hit out at the Official Opposition, saying it continues to make irresponsible and incoherent comments pertaining to the repatriation of illegal immigrants from Haiti.

Symonette pointed to Opposition Leader Perry Christie's refusal to say what decision he would have made regarding undocumented Haitian nationals had he been in power when the earthquake struck Haiti.

The deputy prime minister also hit out at former PLP Minister of Immigration Vincent Peet over recent criticisms of the government after the recent repatriations took place without any announcements being made.

"As the government of the day, the FNM is obliged to make decisions in real-time, not late again," Symonette said. "The government is obliged to act, rather than posture."

Following the earthquake, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced that the government was releasing 102 undocumented Haitian immigrants who were at the Detention Centre at the time of the earthquake.

In total, 15 women, three children, and 84 men were released from the holding facility.

Speaking at a news conference in January on his government's decision to release the Haitian immigrants, Ingraham pointed to a New York Times editorial that said, "Burdening a collapsed country with destitute deportees would be a true crime."

"No one knows how long it will be before Haiti is restored to some semblance of normalcy and when repatriation flights from The Bahamas and other places will again be able to land and be processed in Port-au-Prince," the prime minister said at the time. "So it makes sense and it is compassionate not to keep them incarcerated indefinitely."

Thompson said that group released from the Detention Centre after the earthquake is still free on temporary status.

Following an emergency meeting in the Dominican Republic several days after the earthquake, Ingraham announced that as part of the temporary immigration policy, undocumented Haitian nationals apprehended in The Bahamas after the disaster would be charged in court so they could be detained for longer periods.

Symonette said conditions in Haiti now allow for the resumption of repatriation exercises.

April 06, 2010

thenassauguardian

Bahamas Blog International

Bahamas Illegal Immigration Policy Shifts Once Again

By Krystel Rolle ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com:



In an apparent shift once again in its illegal immigration policy, the government has repatriated a group of undocumented Haitians.

Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, who is also the minister of immigration, told The Nassau Guardian that the 86 Haitians, who were caught on Long Island last weekend, were returned to Haiti yesterday morning.

The immigrants were found by police wandering in the area of Stevens, Long Island on Saturday. The group, which included 77 men and nine women, were transported to New Providence.

"They are back in Haiti," Symonette confirmed.

Asked if the government has shifted its policy, Symonette declined to speak on the matter.

"That's all I want to say at the moment — that we have returned that group to Haiti," he said.

The repatriation exercise comes about two months after a group of 49 Haitian migrants who landed in New Providence in January was charged in court with illegal landing. The men were sent to prison for six months, and the women were sent to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, along with the children in the group, according to statement from the Department of Immigration.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham changed the policy so that Haitians could be charged and thereby detained for longer periods.

The policy shift came after a 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince on January 12, destroying many buildings, killing hundreds of thousands of people and leaving millions more homeless.

Days after the earthquake, Ingraham also announced that Haitian immigrants who were held in the Carmichael Road Detention Centre prior to the disaster were being released and given temporary status. There were a little over 100 Haitian immigrants in the temporary holding facility at the time. Ingraham added that repatriation exercises would be postponed until further notice.

Former Minister of Immigration Vincent Peet told The Guardian yesterday that it is clear that the government has no clear policy.

"I think some Bahamians would be surprised and some would not be surprised that the immigration policy changes almost every week," Peet said.

"The repatriation today by the government clearly indicates a new policy which was not announced to the public. One has to wonder what those illegal immigrants who were detained at the Fox Hill prison and those who were set free are now thinking. The government must be consistent. We are all concerned about the plight of Haitians and Haiti is now gradually recovering. The question is are they at the stage where they can take these immigrants back and if that is the case, then when will the others be repatriated?"

Peet said the government is clearly unfocused as it has no coherent policy. He added that the constant shift is policy is probably confusing to Bahamians.

April 01, 2010

thenassauguardian

Bahamas Blog International

The Haitian Situation in The Bahamas - Part 3

The Bahamas Haitian Situation ‐ Part 3

By Apostle Cedric Moss
March 25, 2004

It is sad to watch people work feverishly to try to prevent something they are not aware has already happened.  They slam the gate shut, put a lock on it, and wipe their sweaty brow, ignorant to the fact that the horse has already stampeded out.  As I listen to Bahamians generally express the ways they do not want Haitians to 'take over' The Bahamas, I am amazed that they do not realize that much of what they do not want has happened and will continue to happen.  And it's too late to change it.

Get Used To It

Several months back, I followed a long discussion on the Haitian situation on the local discussion website, www.bahamasissues.com.  The title was, 'Not the Haitian Flag'.  The thread was started with the following comments: "I don't know about you, but I have a problem with the amount of Haitian flags I see popping up on cars.  In the midst of my celebrating my independence, while I am proudly displaying my flag, the Haitians are displaying theirs.  What is that all about?  It is an insult to me.  If they are proud of their country then they should go home and put up their flag. How dare you come in my land and put up your flag.  Wake up my people.  This is a serious time; this may seem like a small thing but is only the beginning.  Today it is the flag, tomorrow it will be streets named after them, they will be running for public office soon, and then in the very near future peas and rice, and names like Cox and Bain will be replaced by Haitian names and dishes.  They have already started to open businesses and guess whom they employ?  This up and coming generation is in for the fight of their lives; we must fight to keep this land for our children.  THIS LAND IS MY LAND.  Sail away my friends."

Perhaps the most obvious point that was missed by the person who offered those comments is that many of the persons donning Haitian flags on their vehicles are Bahamians with Haitian parentage or affinity.  In addition, this land is no longer just 'our' land since many Bahamian-Haitians own land too.  And they will not sail away ‐ they are here to stay with their expressions of Haitian patriotism.  So we must get used to it.

Managed Assimilation

Even if every Haitian living illegally in The Bahamas decided to go back to Haiti, we would still have tens of thousands of Haitians and Bahamians of Haitian descent living here.  Either way, we have a sub-culture within a culture.  What are we going to do?  Continue to ignore them?  While this might have been acceptable many years ago when Haitian communities were allowed to exist in The Bahamas because they were not looked upon as being permanent, to continue to respond in this way, in my opinion, is a threat to our national security.  Prejudices already run deep, primarily Bahamians against Haitians.  There is also resentment on both sides for different reasons.  In my view, we have all the essential ingredients for our own 'ethnic' time bomb.  How do we diffuse it?  I trust that we do not attempt massive rounding up and repatriation because these acts could very well detonate it.  Instead, I believe an intentional process of managed assimilation will effectively diffuse it.

One People, Two Cultures

The goal of a managed assimilation process for regularized Haitians and Bahamians of Haitian parentage should not be to create one culture.  Instead, it should be to create one people while recognizing two cultures.  No doubt some will object to such a process.  However, since there is nothing we can legally do about a significant number of the Haitians and Bahamian-Haitians living here, we would be better off trying to forge one people with two cultures than allowing two people and two cultures.  If we continue to allow two people with two cultures living in hostility in one land, we will become the Caribbean version of the Jews and Palestinians.  I pray we do otherwise. 

Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Commentary and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org.

The Haitian Situation in The Bahamas - Part 1>>>

The Haitian Situation in The Bahamas - Part 2>>>

The Haitian Situation in The Bahamas - Part 2

The Bahamas Haitian Situation ‐ Part 2

By Apostle Cedric Moss
March 18, 2004

Was Aristide forced out?  Many are discussing this question locally and abroad and choosing which account they believe, Aristide's or The United States of America's.  In my view, beyond the need to give it some consideration at the diplomatic level, whichever account is right, it makes little difference for The Bahamas.  The situation of tens of thousands of illegal Haitian immigrants in our country still represents one of our biggest national challenges and the academic discussion about Mr. Aristide only distracts us from focusing on much needed proactive solutions.

The Proposed Agreement

For the past 10 years, efforts have been made by The Bahamas' government to enter into an agreement with the Haitian government to cover mass repatriation of Haitians residing in The Bahamas.  To date, the agreement is still not signed and with the current unstable climate in Haiti, it is not likely to be signed any time soon.  However, even if we could sign the agreement today, what would it really accomplish?

As I understand it, this agreement was initially negotiated around 1994.  The intention was to seek to regularize Haitians who have resided in The Bahamas prior to 1985 and to repatriate those who arrived illegally after that date.  Had the agreement been signed and implemented around the time it was initially negotiated, tens of thousands of Haitians who had illegally resided in The Bahamas for periods of one to ten years would have been repatriated.  Among them would have been thousands of children born to Haitian parents, even though such children have the right to apply for Bahamian citizenship at age 18.

Considering that 1985 is still the threshold year for the agreement waiting to be executed, Haitians who have illegally resided in The Bahamas for as long as 19 years could potentially be repatriated.  While we as a country have the legal right to repatriate them, even without a signed agreement, would it be the humane thing to do after allowing them to remain for so many years?  How would we manage the future fallout that would come from the generations of Bahamians born to Haitian parents who were subjected to this traumatic experience?

Alternative Solutions

Am I proposing that we officially absorb the unknown tens of thousands of illegal Haitian immigrants currently residing in The Bahamas as opposed to repatriating them?  No, I'm not proposing that at all.  However, I am saying that we need to consider alternative solutions, because we know full well that repatriation is only a temporary solution, and a costly one at that.

While I believe successive governments of The Bahamas have sought international assistance to deal with the problem of illegal immigration from Haiti, it's my view that we need to redouble our efforts in this direction.  Somehow, we need to involve The United States, Canada, France and The United Nations in order to seek both short and long term solutions to the problems in Haiti and the illegal immigration situation we face as a result.  The reality is that unless Haiti stabilizes and attracts investment to create jobs, Haitians will continue to leave in search of a better way of life and The Bahamas is their logical first destination.

Here to Stay

For many Haitians, they are far beyond making that desperate seas voyage from Haiti to The Bahamas; they are already here.  And they are here to stay.  Some came prior to 1985 and much later.  While they were enduring exploitation by far too many of us, they seemed to have followed the advice Prophet Jeremiah gave to the Israelites who were in exile in Babylon: "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters.  Increase in number there; do not decrease". (Jeremiah 29:5-6, NIV).  The Haitians also followed another one: Educate your children.  All of these they have done, so uprooting and deporting them today is not near as easy as it was 25 years ago.

Preview of Next Week

Since Haitians are here to stay in large numbers, how can we manage their assimilation for the overall good of The Bahamas?  Join me next week when I conclude my commentary and answer this question.

Apostle Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Commentary and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org

The Haitian Situation in The Bahamas - Part 1>>>

The Haitian Situation in The Bahamas - Part 3>>>