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

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

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

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

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