For Immediate Release
July 17, 2011
Democratic National Alliance
In light of recent revelations coming from officials at the Department of Immigration, The Democratic National Alliance is not surprised by recent comments made by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who admitted that the Government of the Bahamas is moving to regularize thousands of non-Bahamians, while circumventing citizenship classes left in place by the former Minister of State for Immigration and Leader of the DNA, Branville McCartney.
These classes, which the DPM admitted has ceased since the departure of Mr. McCartney, would have ensured that person applying knew and could speak English, knew The Bahamas’ National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, had an appreciation for and knew the Bahamian culture, our national heroes, our parliamentary process and various other vital aspects of our country.
The Party is gravely concerned, however, that the Government’s attempts to regularize scores of non-Bahamians – this close to a national election being called – is nothing more than a political ploy aimed at securing votes, as they desperately seek to remain in power. We note that comments made by the Deputy Prime Minister leave Bahamians with more questions than answers.
At this point in time, to believe that there is no political motivation behind regularizing more than 1500 immigrants at one time – solely based on the fact that their files “have been languishing in filing cabinets for years,”- is an insult to the intelligence of the average thinking Bahamian. Answers like these continue to give the impression that the Government feels as if it can get any “old thing” pass the Bahamian people, as it has been doing for many years.
We, along with the Bahamian public say, not this time!
At a time when Bahamians are desperate for accountability in its leaders, our leaders cannot continue to disappoint or be disappointments – particularly when their overall performance has been just that—disappointing.
The DNA, once again, challenges the Government to put Bahamians first in their thought process, and – in the absence of the Freedom of Information Act that is promised to enact before the end of its term in office – give an account to the Bahamian people of how many non-Bahamians have been regularized in the past year. The Deputy Prime Minister has failed to answer this specific question.
In addition, the DNA questions (1) why this Administration has NO data from June 30, 2010 to present, as it relates to how many non-Bahamian have been regularized. This is very curious especially in a supposedly developing country; and (2) the relevance of and implication in the Deputy Prime Minister’s attempt to put his government’s record up against the record of the Progressive Liberal Party during that party’s term in office.
As an advocate for ensuring that the law is adhered to, the DNA believes in making our leaders accountable, protecting our borders, boosting our deflating economy and, most importantly, putting Bahamians first. Therefore, we are, once again, demanding a statement from the present administration on this immigration issue.
We, the Bahamian public, deserve a more adequate response from a Government looking to be returned to power. The present administration should answer this matter to the satisfaction of the Bahamian public, whom the
It is no wonder that lawlessness prevails in our country. This is only one example. Traspassing, tampering, squarting on public property, lieing to public officers and the list goes on with the violations taking place throughout the country. No charges, no arrest what next.
I’m not getting in your decision making thing, but i usually read news from around the world. Today i just happen to end up on this page, I’ve heard of rumors such as, racism against haitians in the Bahamas, it’s not my business but, i found that last comment very racist. I’m sure you guys have other immigrants other than haitians. Why be so specific? I guess haitians are the only targeted immigrants. Yes you have to do whats right to save your countries but, not by bringing another down. Well, my question to all of this is do you welcome visitors to your country with a grateful heart? Poor people. What do they ever do to you people? And you guys are so proud of yourselves by doing that. Smh…
@ Guest I read the last comment here which was written by Concern Bahamian and I may be wrong but if this is comment you meant I don’t see it as racist, Haitians are not the only ones getting citizenship just before our country elections, and Concern Bahamian said “don’t let anyone that got their citizenship in the last 2 years vote in the 2012 election.” It didn’t say Haitians. I agree 100% with what Concern Bahamian said in the comment. Do you think Bahamians that are immigrants
in other countries is having a easy life they are in the same shoe or worst. Every county has rules/laws and every person no matter if your a citizen or visitor should obey, We all know we need passports to travel to different countries get it
we know there are a limited time to be in people country before the time expire get out and I’m speaking to persons from ALL countries.
Sir Lynden Pindling was soo right when he said “If Bahamians are not prepared to to stand up and defend their own Bahamas, then ya don’t deserve to have it…”
The Bahamian people along with the PLP MP’s,DNA MP, (FNM MP’s with balls) and all other party need to fight to not let anyone that got their citizenship in the last 2 years vote in the 2012 election.
THIS COUNTRY IS IN DEEP TROUBLE WITH THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS LEADING, BAHAMIANS NEED TO FORGET PARTY LINES UNITE AS BAHAMIANS TO SAVE OUR LAND I’M READY TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SAVE THE BAHAMAS FOR BAHAMIANS, WE CAN’T DO THESE FOOLISHNESS IN NO OTHER COUNTRY AND THIS IS HOME ANYTHING HAPPEN WE HAVE NO WHERE ELSE BUT HERE TO CALL HOME.
COULD THE LEADER OF THE DNA PLEASE TELL US HOW MANY HE HELP DURING THE BYE ELECTION BEFORE HE COULD’NT TAKE IT ANYMORE……….
PLEASE SIR…..
It is worth noting that this decision by this FNM cabinet to bypass citizenship classes in place, and for good reasons, in order to speed up the granting of citizenship’s is to act contrary to the wishes of the vast majority of Bahamians, and should be viewed as the “original “sin” committed by this FNM cabinet against Bahamians.
Unfortunately, knowing their arrogance it will not be the last one leading up to the 2012 General Elections. Committing sins against their own Bahamian brothers and sisters can be attributed to the reason why we have 100,000 Haitians scattered throughout our beloved Bahamaland.
This FNM cabinet’s defeat in 2002, matched with their Haitian eagerness since 2007, just proves that their secret master plan is more important than the fear of a repeat punishment at the Polls. In essence this FNM cabinet is prepared to risk bringing their own government down.
Folks, it just doesn’t make any sense unless the division between the PM and DPM has grown so hateful for the other that they would be prepared to risk bringing the FNM party to its knees, it that’s what it will take to make darn sure nether one of them is left standing in power on Elections Day? There is diffidently something driving this recklessness at the top!
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