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
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label illegal Haitians Bahamas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label illegal Haitians Bahamas. Show all posts
Friday, July 29, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
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
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
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Brent Symonette - Immigration Minister: ...repatriation of illegal Haitian immigrants will continue as normal, unless extremely dire conditions were highlighted in Haiti
UN urges halt to Haitian deportation
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Deputy Chief Reporter
tribune242
tthompson@tribunemedia.net
THE United Nations has issued a plea to the Bahamas not to deport Haitians due to the conditions which remain 18 months after the deadly earthquake.
The UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) appealed to the Bahamas – and other governments which have repatriated Haitians since the disaster – to extend measures which will allow the immigrants to legally remain outside their country.
Despite the call, Immigration Minister Brent Symonette said repatriations will continue as normal unless extremely dire conditions were highlighted in Haiti.
"Given the current situation in Haiti, UNHCR and OHCHR are urging governments to renew, on humanitarian grounds, residence permits and other mechanisms that have allowed Haitians to remain outside their country," said UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards at a press briefing in Geneva.
The UN said despite recent elections and ongoing reconstruction efforts, Haiti is still debilitated by the earthquake and cannot ensure adequate protection for some vulnerable returned citizens such as unaccompanied minors, disabled persons, people with health problems, victims of trafficking or of sexual abuse.
"The appeal calls on governments to assess Haitian cases on an individual basis and to pay special consideration and refrain from returning to Haiti persons with special protection needs, and to prevent situations where returns can lead to family separation," said Mr Edwards.
An estimated 680,000 earthquake survivors live in 1,000 tented camps in Port-au-Prince and other affected areas while an unknown number live outside Haiti, he added.
According to international reports, the recent appeal came after news that countries, including the Bahamas, Jamaica, Brazil and the United States were deporting Haitians.
Yesterday, Mr Symonette said the Bahamas' policy on repatriation remained unchanged and added that he did not know of any new developments that will impede the country from deporting illegal Haitian immigrants. Still the Government will continue to monitor the situation in Haiti, he said, and make adjustments to its immigration policy where warranted.
"When I return I will review the (UN's) declaration.
“Our stance has always been to uphold Christian values and not (repatriate) in situations that would be inhumane, but there has been nothing that happened yesterday or today which would have necessitated this issue," said Mr Symonette who is in Jamaica for a meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
"We will continue to review the situation in Haiti, we will be in contact with our ambassador on the ground in Haiti and I will discuss the matter further with the Haitian ambassador here," said the St Anne's MP.
Returns of illegal Haitian immigrants will continue in the meantime.
"The detention centre is not at the state in the moment to require repatriation.
“If for instance we find a vessel with 90 people on board in Inagua the situation will be reviewed at that point and more than likely those people will be repatriated, all things being equal," said the minister.
The Bahamas briefly suspended round-ups and repatriation of illegal Haitian immigrants after the January, 2010, earthquake which killed nearly 300,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless.
The US deported 375 Haitians in the 2010 fiscal year, which ended in September, after a short suspension following the earthquake.
The country has said it plans to deport approximately 700 immigrants with criminal records to Haiti this year.
June 23, 2011
tribune242
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Deputy Chief Reporter
tribune242
tthompson@tribunemedia.net
THE United Nations has issued a plea to the Bahamas not to deport Haitians due to the conditions which remain 18 months after the deadly earthquake.
The UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) appealed to the Bahamas – and other governments which have repatriated Haitians since the disaster – to extend measures which will allow the immigrants to legally remain outside their country.
Despite the call, Immigration Minister Brent Symonette said repatriations will continue as normal unless extremely dire conditions were highlighted in Haiti.
"Given the current situation in Haiti, UNHCR and OHCHR are urging governments to renew, on humanitarian grounds, residence permits and other mechanisms that have allowed Haitians to remain outside their country," said UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards at a press briefing in Geneva.
The UN said despite recent elections and ongoing reconstruction efforts, Haiti is still debilitated by the earthquake and cannot ensure adequate protection for some vulnerable returned citizens such as unaccompanied minors, disabled persons, people with health problems, victims of trafficking or of sexual abuse.
"The appeal calls on governments to assess Haitian cases on an individual basis and to pay special consideration and refrain from returning to Haiti persons with special protection needs, and to prevent situations where returns can lead to family separation," said Mr Edwards.
An estimated 680,000 earthquake survivors live in 1,000 tented camps in Port-au-Prince and other affected areas while an unknown number live outside Haiti, he added.
According to international reports, the recent appeal came after news that countries, including the Bahamas, Jamaica, Brazil and the United States were deporting Haitians.
Yesterday, Mr Symonette said the Bahamas' policy on repatriation remained unchanged and added that he did not know of any new developments that will impede the country from deporting illegal Haitian immigrants. Still the Government will continue to monitor the situation in Haiti, he said, and make adjustments to its immigration policy where warranted.
"When I return I will review the (UN's) declaration.
“Our stance has always been to uphold Christian values and not (repatriate) in situations that would be inhumane, but there has been nothing that happened yesterday or today which would have necessitated this issue," said Mr Symonette who is in Jamaica for a meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
"We will continue to review the situation in Haiti, we will be in contact with our ambassador on the ground in Haiti and I will discuss the matter further with the Haitian ambassador here," said the St Anne's MP.
Returns of illegal Haitian immigrants will continue in the meantime.
"The detention centre is not at the state in the moment to require repatriation.
“If for instance we find a vessel with 90 people on board in Inagua the situation will be reviewed at that point and more than likely those people will be repatriated, all things being equal," said the minister.
The Bahamas briefly suspended round-ups and repatriation of illegal Haitian immigrants after the January, 2010, earthquake which killed nearly 300,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless.
The US deported 375 Haitians in the 2010 fiscal year, which ended in September, after a short suspension following the earthquake.
The country has said it plans to deport approximately 700 immigrants with criminal records to Haiti this year.
June 23, 2011
tribune242
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
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
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
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