Call for status for all Haitians
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Diigo/FurlPublished On:Monday, January 25, 2010
By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Staff Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net
A GROUP of Bahamian activists and artists have launched a letter writing campaign seeking temporary status for all Haitian migrants and the implementation of a long-term immigration policy with respect to Haitians and their children.
Angelique Nixon, one of the creators of the campaign titled "Haitian-Bahamian Solidarity", said that the government should provide temporary status to all Haitians in the Bahamas.
"I applaud the Prime Minister's decision to release detainees and give them temporary status, but what about other undocumented Haitian migrants and those who may be seeking refuge from the devastation after the earthquake?" The Prime Minister has indicated that they will be detained and perhaps locked up until they can be deported. "This is unacceptable. Our Haitian brothers and sisters need our help, they need our compassion, and they need our support," Nixon said.
"Our immigration policy towards Haitians has long been deplorable and it's time for us to make serious change. It's time for us to create and implement a sensible immigration policy for Haitians and Haitian Bahamians.
"We need to remember that Haitians have long migrated into the Bahamas and have for a long time been a part of the Bahamas and Bahamian culture," Ms Nixon said.
She added, "If one supports migration rights and human rights, then we cannot support our government's policy towards Haitians, and we cannot support the statelessness of Haitian Bahamians."
"During this time of crisis and into the future, we must continue to call on our government to offer more assistance to Haiti and Haitian people. We need to recognise the crisis in Haiti is happening to us too - people are suffering and dying. We should not discuss the 'return' of Haitian migrants until Port-au-Prince is rebuilt and serious efforts are made to truly support and help free Haiti from the chains of debt and poverty," Ms Nixon said.
Local activist Erin Greene, who is also a part of the effort, said that the group is also calling on the government to grant a period of immunity for all Haitian refugees seeking asylum while Haiti rebuilds Port-au-Prince. According to Ms Greene the campaign was initiated before the government's decision to release the Haitian detainees from the detention centre.
"We wanted to be an example and create a way for Bahamians to participate, to tell our government what it is we want and what it is we expect of them," Ms Greene said.
"The letter writing campaign entails a number of ways of action. 'The first wave of action is that we have drafted a letter and we are asking Bahamians living abroad to write a letter to the Prime Minster, to the Minister of State for Immigration and the Minister of National Security and your MP," Ms Greene said.
"It is hoped that the campaign will exist outside the immediate Haiti relief effort," Ms Greene said.
Craig Kemp, who has done mission work in Haiti for several years, said that he too agrees with the initiative. According to Kemp, the government is now in a very crucial position.
"This is the time to regularise all the Haitians who have been living in this country for years. It would be the greatest humanitarian gesture the Bahamas will ever do," Mr Kemp said. According to Mr Kemp, the government should not only give permanent status to Haitians who have been residing in the Bahamas, but also institute a special court process to deal with Haitian migrants.
Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said that 102 Haitian detainees would be released from the Detention Centre and repatriations to Haiti suspended in view of the devastation sustained following the catastrophic magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck earlier this month.
Hundreds of thousands are now estimated to have died as a result of the natural disaster and despite a vigorous international relief effort, thousands of people in affected areas are still without water, food, medical assistance and shelter.
Reader Comments - 22 Total
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Posted By: concernedparent On: 1/27/2010
Title: What the hell are we thinking!
correction
Posted By: concernedparent On: 1/27/2010
Title: What the hell are we think!
I strongly believe that the Raphy person that commented on "What if it was us", and Nickolette Bethel who commented on "Never say never" along with Nixon, Green and Butler must be Haitians themselves of have married one, and have some personal agenda, they are not to be trusted. I can't see any intelligent born Bahamian that would suggest or even try to put the Prime Minister under such pressure and make remarks like "The least the Bahamas can do is give the status to show their support". Look we have been giving our support from before the earthquake bearing these hundreds of illegal Haitians that we already can not handle. Since the disaster hit we have and is still sending thousands of dollars, food, clothes and other supplies, we are already giving temporary status we are doing the brotherly thing, as huge and rich as America and the other larger countries who has helped them so far that can actually take on such a large amount of people and assist with status and accommodation, do you see them pressuring they Presidents to take on the Haitian population? I don't appreciate these fools making it seem as if we have any obligation to Haiti cause to honest' all they have ever been for us is an added burden with no benefits to our society. Don't get me wrong I'm very sorry that it happen to them and I'm all for raising monies to rebuild their country and offer temporary assistance to some but, the fact of the matter is WE CAN NOT HELP IN THAT WAY. The Bahamas is over flowed with Haitians right now and they don't believe in birth control and they don't like to get tie off, they breed more than us who country it belongs to and it's unfair to us and are kids. There has to be something put in places for these Haitian females while they are here to control they breeding problem and it should not be taken lightly. This is very serious! Bahamians we can not find jobs now, and believe it or not we have Bahamian family struggling to eat, to live, and to maintain a normally life, who see and hear all this monies leaving the country and when they ask for help they get "we are in recession". Then we have to watch out for these so called Haitians-Bahamian are already positioned high places in Private and Government sectors. Bahamians be very careful what you start and what you allow because trust me we will regret it. Don't quickly forget some of these same Haitian people has a gang threatening to kill out Bahamians. My main certain is my 5 & 7 year old sons. Bahamians think about your kids, nieces, nephews who is our future. What we decide will happen today will determine what our kids face tomorrow if, they even have rights in their own country tomorrow. Think and act on these things!
Posted By: Want 2 live in peace On: 1/26/2010
Title: ?
There's nothing wrong with allowing in a few people who are prepared to assimilate. The problem comes when you allow in many who aren't. Look at what has happened to Miami after the Cuban boat-lift, if you don't speak spanish it's difficult to function. Look at the demands being made on many European countries by Muslims. Look at the over the hill area and what it is becoming. East St. looks like a flea market, that's not our culture. People setting up shop on the ground, that's not our culture. All those nice clapboard houses with the porches, the porches have been closed in for rooms. This is a very ill advised idea. Well intentioned, but ill advised.
Posted By: Penny Cuffe On: 1/26/2010
Title: When does compassion end?
Unless you reside in the inner city you have no idea of the Haitian situation, they have taken over the whole inner city, the jobs that our youngsters looked forward to after schoool and in the summer have been snatched from them, (packing jobs at the supermarkets, gas station attendants, etc} lets look at the jobs our men have lost, selling water, constuction, hackers at the food store and hospital even the air port now, even the phone cards, and so much more,
Our schools, our clinics, the hospital, the cemetery all have been stretched to its limit, I went to a budget foodstore on cordeaux ave last week and there were more Haitians than Bahamians in the store I thought I was in Haiti.
I know that the Bahamians have shown more compassion than any nation in this world toward Haitians, what more can we do, do they want blood? come on people , enough is enough. Haiti is a big place, why cant they move to other areas there, and regroup and rebuild, Why do they think the Bahamas is the promised land. God is not making any more land people, If we extend our compassion any further where will our children go, what will they do in the future?
There are thousands of affulent Haitians all over the world, lets hear from them, I am not insensitive, just fed up, I pray for healing for them and their country, but God knows we can't do anymore than we have already done. Please Bahamians stand up and let your voices be heard before it turns to wailing and tears.
America the powerful and great has stated and restated to the Hatians 'DO NOT COME, IF YOU COME YOU WILL BE SENT BACK' now pray tell me the little dot in the middle of the ocean is saying 'COME COME WELCOME TO THE BAHAMAS' you tell me what is wrong with that picture, to everyone that disagree, take a walk through , East St, Bain town,Nassau Village, Cowpen road, Market St and all the corners, then you come back and talk, I know I live there all my life, trust me Bahamians are becoming extinct. You can hardly hear english being spoken in the streets and stores anymore, 'He who feels it knows it '
At some point the Haitians must take responsibilty for themselves and stop running away, this is the time now, for them to shine, to rebuild and show the world that they are truly are a resilent people, Maybe we need to go there and then they will come,
I love you my Hatian brothers and sisters, but this is tough love,again I say God is not making any more land, so we must be good stewarts of what he has given us. When does compassion end? it end when we become stupid, when bcome blinded by emotion, when we hurt ourselves and our children.
Posted By: Brooks On: 1/26/2010
Title: Call for status for all Haitians????
I am not sure what the motives are behind this article, whether political or personal but one thing that is clearly left out of this article is logic. Yes, we as a nation should be compassionate to people around the world that have lived in unimaginable suffering and poverty for generations. We also have to be rationale and use logic when dealing with situations of such magnitude. The Bahamas is a nation that does not have the infrastructure to accommodate a larger influx of Haitians. The reality is the vast majority of Haitian refugees are not in the position when they leave Haiti to take care of themselves and will require all available social services for some period. Schools throughout The Bahamas are already inundated with Haitian children some with only 5% or less of Bahamian children. Also the medical system is inundated with Haitian refugees that come to The Bahamas needed long-term medical care. All of this is at the cost of a Bahamian government that is already strained financially. Allowing a larger influx of Haitian refugees to come into the nation and live freely will only put The Bahamas in a worse situation and that would not help any immigrant trying to come to The Bahamas in future. What we can do is try to assist Haiti in becoming a stronger and better nation in the future. As far as the refugees already in The Bahamas we as a nation will have to continue to accommodate them until repatriation exercises can begin again. I do not believe in just giving all of them status without doing a background check on the refugees that are in The Bahamas. That would mean any person(s) with a record to include a felony or several misdemeanors will have to be remanded to the detention center until he/she can is repatriated to Haiti. I agree we can’t send the Haitians that are already in the country back but we can’t open up the waters and allow the ones coming in a free for all access into the country. That is not compassion that is just plain crazy!!
Posted By: Shan On: 1/26/2010
Title: Reply to plea for status for all Haitians
I feel that our prime minister was beyond compassionate in his actions toward the detainees, considering that they had committed illegal actions which landed them in the detention center. They were not prosecuted or fined as would be with most other nationals.
Although I do have a love for people, there is a thin line between acting out of love and acting out of ignorance. I would like to see us exercise wisdom as we move forward with this subject matter. The truth is, no, we do not have sufficient resources available to handle the significant influx of Haitians and wisdom I feel would suggest that we would not want to be outnumbered. This is still our country. This is all we have right now. We must be careful how we handle our birthrite, else we may lose it. The Dominican Republic was overtaken by Haitians before and for many years. We cannot afford the same, nor can we afford to lose our culture, health and safety as these are all things which stand to be compromised in the process. Truth is, health issues such as tuberculosis and other communicable diseases are at stake. Escaped prisoners unaccounted for can just as easily slip into our society while we innocently and ignorantly are unaware of who is among us. Yes we do have our own issues, and we are already are having difficulties dealing with even these. We must be wise. Lets not allow our kindness to be taken for weakness nor allow individuals with their own agendas to bully us around. Even God is a God of wisdom and order. Our laws are in place for a reason. A part of that would be to protect us as citizens of this country.
Posted By: Nicolette Bethel On: 1/26/2010
Title: Never say never
Anything is possible. Did the Lord bring us out of Egypt to have us oppress another group of people and keep them in bondage? Time for us to think about what is right and act accordingly, rather than about what threatens us the least. Some of us are acting according our consciences. It's time for us to review the way in which we treat our Haitian brothers and sisters and to imagine a more dynamic, creative, productive society than the plantation we currently inhabit.
Oh, and The Bahamas is bigger than any other landmass in the English-speaking Caribbean, and larger in overall size than any other country in the Caribbean -- we aren't as small as we like to think. We have some room to be generous, I think.
Posted By: John On: 1/26/2010
Title: hell no are you serious
These activists can't be for real that have to be the most foolishness I have ever heard in my life muddasick!!some people have to be blind or just lost there JUDGEMON mines,Nixon get real please
Posted By: tina On: 1/25/2010
Title: these so call activists musse crazy!!
Correction to my post! Nixon, Green and Kemp..........
Posted By: tina On: 1/25/2010
Title: these so call activists musse crazy!!
Nixon, Green and Butler must be crazy or they don't love their country. True, we have compassion for Haiti's terrible tradegy but how in heavens name can The Bahamas, particularly, lil Nassau absorbed, feed, cloth and education thousands of illegal immigrants without put the nation's culture and standard of living at a high risk. We already have too many Haitians here illegally and The Bahamas is the only country in the World where illegals Haitians go and set-up 'shop' illegally by squatting on land not belonging to them, stealing water and electricity from the Government, getting free education and health services. No other country in the World allows this but we, lil Bahamas do! There are over 9 million Haitians and less than half-a-million Bahamians, granting immigrants status who have already shown no respect for the laws of The Bahamas by coming here illegally and stealing the above-mentioned services does not equate to our Government giving them 'temporary' or 'permanent status'. Like the first writer commented, they raising their flag in Grand Bahama is yet another balant show of non-respect for our country. The Government of The Bahamas is not stupid, they know that such an act will cause riots through out The Bahamas and strain our already heavily used health and education services even more. If Green, Butler and Nixon are so sympathic towards the illegal Haitians here in their homeland, why don't they do their part and encourage the illegal Haitians to leave The Bahamas and go back home to other parts of Hait not affected by the earthquake to start the rebuilding of their country. Too, they can join them in the process!!
Posted By: 100% Bahamian 100% for Bahamians On: 1/25/2010
Title: Why Not?
Sure go ahead and invite thousands more Haitians here. Then we can all learn Creol and have a great time together.
Posted By: Kris Gray On: 1/25/2010
Title: traitors
Why would the tribune make this a top story, Ms Greens efforts as usual is flawed. All of the authors before have made valid points, so ill make this statement. Any group or persons, who set out on a personal agenda to disadvantage this country with the view of assisting another country and/or its people are traitors, and should be tried for treason. Do any on these people read history and see what happened in the dominican republic. Lets be mindful of individuals who seek to use the current situation in haiti, to push their warped agendas. Mr Ingraham take heed, throw away those letters and remain clear of Ms Green and her agendas if you and your party hope to remain favorites in 2012. Its a matter of trust.
Posted By: Selah On: 1/25/2010
Title: Are you serious?
Lets not let common sense be over ridden by compassion. Do what we can but our country nor economy can absorb a large influx of immigrants from anywhere. Should I remind my we intended counrymen that we have a stated 10 per cent unemployment that is probably closer to 20 percent. What then happens to the children born here during the time of temporary status?
Lets think of more creative ways to help.
Posted By: LM On: 1/25/2010
Title:
I could not agree more with the statements submitted by Fox. This is not a free for all. We are a small nation with our own struggles. We should support our neighbours as much as we can but we do can not afford to open our doors. We must be careful as a nation to guard our heritage and culture. We are not the big great America !
Posted By: Concerned Citizen On: 1/25/2010
Title:
I do not think we give them status at all. I do not think they realize how many undocumented haitians we have living here in the Bahamas and believe you me they hide their people very well in those villages. You would be surprise to know who are living in those villages, "Bahamas Most Wanted". I say no, If they all flock here, were will we go, we have no where to go. they say the death toll is the hundred thousandths...No lets be real and think about it, The popultion in Nassau is a little over 100, 000 ( i assume) and they have how many people in Port-Au-Prince alone over 3 million. My real Bahamian people(talking about the ones who great great great great grand daddy born here) do not allow foreign immigrants to invade our country any further. America allowed and looked what Happen to Miami, Fl or should I say little Haiti and Little Cuba.
I say NO
Posted By: Raphy On: 1/25/2010
Title: Yes! What if it was us?
The Bahamas is very close to Haiti "Geographically" and we could have easily been affected by such great disaster. What if it was our country that was domed with such destruction wouldn't we want other countries to step in and give us temporary citizenship until our homeland has been restored? I think it's time we quit the narrow minded thinking and start looking at things from a wider perspective. So Yes! Please grant the fellow haitian people temporary status in our country, it's the least we can do!
Posted By: Hassam On: 1/25/2010
Title: grow up
Countrymen, our fear of foreigners has got to stop! We are nothing without foreigners!! Strength through diversity I say. Our crusty culture has been devoured by maggots of old... do not let it devour our future.
God help us.
Posted By: Worried Bahamian On: 1/25/2010
Title: No!
What is wrong with these people? Do they have any idea how many haitians are in this country? Do they know what effect that will have? Can they not see that it is going to take a very long time before Haiti will regain its solidarity? They are obviously not thinking about that. Yes it is great that we are giving them money and food, but that is the best we can do. Why should we have to give them "temporary" status when in our hearts we know that their stay won't be "temporary". How are we to accomodate all of those people when we are a small country? Furthermore, everyone will go to Nassau. None of them would want to go on the outer islands. Remember, illegals are criminals...therefore they are right to detain them! What they have done is against the law. Why should we ignore that? It is sad that their country has experienced such a horrible disaster and my prayers are with them but we (The Bahamas) can only do so much! We are not America or the UK! We cannot accomodate such an influx. If haitians are given temporary status, word will travel back to their country and it will encourage more migration.
Posted By: Fox On: 1/25/2010
Title: Compassion Yes, A Free for All No!
We are all saddened by the suffering in Haiti before and especially after the Earthquake.
The Bahamas is a very small nation. Haiti has a very large population. When they come, they will not leave - and our country will never be the same. We should help as much as we can, financially and with rebuilding efforts.
Even the mighty USA is worried about the strain Haitian refugees will place on their social services. This is a very big concern for us as well.
We cannot and should not allow this type of mass migration.
Posted By: Andron Evans On: 1/25/2010
Title: God First
Whereas I am all for helping out others in need, I am not keen on inviting foreigners in so easily. Yes, Haiti needs help, but more than anything, I'm concerned of the invitation to foreign religions, paganism and whatever rituals that foreigners hold has religious and cultural traditions. I am wholelly convinced, that the Bahamas has endure internal and international peace, as well as progression because we have acknowledged and worshipped the Sovereign God. There is no other reason for it, certainly not the genius of government officials/leaders (some past and present). We are very close now to falling away from God's presence with the way things are deteriorating in this country, but I definitely don't think we need any help in bringing doom on ourselves by embracing strange cultures that are contrary to worshipping the Living God through Jesus Christ. Many people may disagree, but I dare you to search Bahamian history, and count the number of natural disasters we've endured? We've had some strong hurricanes, but nothing ever devastating along what nations like Haiti, China, India, America, and others have gone through. It's no coincidence. If we want to help, we need to help them to help themselves. Those that are here and have been here forever, if you want them to stay, our leaders need to embed in them this: Just as you have to respect and obey our laws, you have to obey and respect our God.
Posted By: Charlie Brown On: 1/25/2010
Title: Really?
Are they serious? As long as we have sensible Bahamians in The Bahmas, that will never happen. I totally disagree with the writer.
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