Haitian leaders appealed to their countrymen who are in The Bahamas illegally to comply with the Bahamian government's request to leave the Islands

HAITIAN LEADERS: TIME TO GO HOME
BY KEVA LIGHTBOURNE
Guardian Senior Reporter
kdl@nasguard.com:


Two Haitian leaders yesterday appealed to their countrymen who are in The Bahamas illegally to comply with the government's request to leave, however, they believe that a two-week grace period should have been implemented.

"I think it is too quick for the government to ask the people to leave immediately. They don't have any money so it is going to be hard for them to go back home. They need to get a special time like 14 to 21 days to remove themselves,"said President of the Haitian Bahamian Development Center Organization(HBDCO)Rodlin Joseph.

"I think it would be fair to give them time than to say leave now,"Joseph said.

His call for more time to be given to his countrymen came a day after the government issued an official warning to all illegal immigrants to leave the country immediately, or face immediate deportation. The warning came in response to the high influx of illegal immigrants, which climbed to more than 500 in recent weeks.

"Having regard to the recent heightened infringement of Bahamas immigration law, notice is hereby given that with immediate effect, all immigrants are requested to leave The Bahamas voluntarily,"said a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Immigration over the weekend.

"All persons who are here illegally are in contravention of the laws of The Bahamas,(and) are advised to return to their country of origin or be subject to apprehension and deportation,"the statement said.

However, in an interview yesterday Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette said the government is not saying that migrants cannot stay in The Bahamas, just that they must have the proper documentation or they must leave.

"I cannot go to the United States and decide to sit there for six, eight, ten years without a work permit or a residency permit, and then turn round and say it is too soon. Persons who are flaunting the law know full well that they are suppose to have a residency permit or a work permit to be here,"Symonette said.

He added that the ministry has been calling on undocumented Haitians to get their status regularized, and that those who failed to heed the call must go home.

HBDCO Chairman Hellanian Butler said up to now the government has been lenient.

"I think that the people had a chance, even if they wanted to have themselves documented properly, they had time to do it. And I am more than certain that they haven't done that, so it is time to go home,"he said.

Joseph has acknowledged that the government has done its part following the earthquake, and now it is time for those who are in the country illegally to voluntary leave before being forced to do so."We are asking all those Haitians and Jamaicans who are here illegally to please assist this government in this matter. I think it is the best way to do so then the government would not force you. If you go voluntary you won't have any problems with the government but if you wait until the government tries to get you,(you)will not be able to come back to this country," Joseph said.

"If you go by yourself you will always feel free to come back to the country as a tourist. It is very good what the government has done for those Haitians after the earthquake, but it is time now to go back home,"he explained.

When contacted yesterday, Haitian Ambassador Harold Louis opted not to comment on the matter.

The number of illegal migrants captured in Bahamian waters during the first two weeks of August climbed to more than 500, according to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force(RBDF). It represents the largest number of migrants captured in a two-week period so far for the year.

The latest apprehension reported by the RBDF took place at the Exuma Land and Sea Park, where 57 Haitian migrants were spotted aboard a wooden sloop in the area.

Following the January 12 earthquake, the government was understanding and responsive by temporarily suspending its apprehension exercises with respect to Haitians residing illegally in the country.

While officials cannot determine exactly how many illegal migrants have entered the country since the exercises were relaxed in January, Symonette said some 772 undocumented Haitians have been apprehended on the high seas or have landed on various Family Islands.

8/16/2010

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