By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
AN AMERICAN academic has blasted the government’s new immigration policy as “xenophobic” as scepticism among undocumented persons in the Haitian Bahamian community continues to grow over the proposed changes.
Dr Bertin Louis, an assistant professor of Anthropology and Africana Studies at the University of Tennessee, has taken issue with how Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell framed the introduction of the new policy.
“The way that Mr Mitchell framed it, he started off by saying you can’t get off the boat with your wet feet and apply for a work permit, the tone of that is just in keeping with the history of xenophobia of foreigners to The Bahamas,” Dr Louis told The Tribune.
“I think the language really reflects the actualities and realities of the relationships.
“The Bahamas has the right to make whatever policies and laws with regards to protecting the interests of Bahamians,” the academic added. “What I’d like to see in the future is a broader definition of what it means to be Bahamian because there are people that grow up and live there that have no connection to other countries and the Bahamas is all they know.”
Dr Louis, author of “My Soul Is in Haiti: Protestantism in the Haitian Diaspora of the Bahamas,” explained that he observed Haitian-Bahamian relations first-hand as he conducted research for his book during 2005 and 2012 in New Providence.
He said he was shocked at that time by the blatant discrimination and derogatory manner in which Haitians, and persons of Haitian descent were treated, which was often unmasked and celebrated in Bahamian society.
“It would appear that xenophobia is part of the national identity for people to make comments and no one bats an eyelash or they get a pat on the back,” Dr Louis said.
“I was at a conference in 2005 at the College of the Bahamas and I had mentioned that I was of Haitian descent to the people I was sitting with. During the course of the conversation, persons would make comments like: I get ‘my Haitian’ to do this or that. It resonates with a master-slave relationship, and they didn’t mind saying that in front of me.”
“I think it’s part of (what it means) to be Bahamian nowadays, to be Bahamian is to be Christian, and also it means you have to be black with certain types of surnames. The Bahamas is really a multicultural society, there is a variety of folks but it seems that the most dominant type of Bahamians have these traits,” he added.
The proposed changes were announced last month by Mr Mitchell in the House of Assembly.
According to the new restrictions, it will be mandatory for all persons living in the Bahamas to have a passport of their nationality as of November 1.
The government also aims to have employers who are applying for first-time work permit holders who are residents of Haiti to come to the Department of Immigration and pay the $100 processing fee, provide a labour certificate, cover letter, stamp tax of $30 and the employee information sheet in Nassau.
Mr Mitchell said that information will be forwarded to the Embassy of the Bahamas in Port-au-Prince, Haiti where the applicant will fill out the application form and provide the supporting documents. The applicant must be certified as personally seen by an embassy officer in Port au Prince, he said.
Persons born in the Bahamas will be granted a special residence permit that will allow them to work until the status of their citizenship application has been determined, Mr Mitchell said.
Mr Mitchell explained that the permit will allow children to attend school, but will not apply to children born to illegal migrants.
Louby Georges, activist and radio show host, yesterday renewed concerns over the lack of information and national dialogue over the policy changes. Mr Georges also questioned whether the timeframe to implement the new policy was reasonable given the high volume of unregularized persons living in the country.
“Why is there no public discussion (on the policy?) I think that the Bahamian community for the most part agrees with it, if it’s one thing Bahamians will band together on is illegal immigration and the Haitian conversation,” Mr Georges, host of the Kreyol Connection, said.
“Persons have been asking questions, calling in to the show,” he said. “As far as persons going in (to the Haitian embassy) and starting the process (of getting a passport), people are reluctant. They are saying after I get this, then what?”
“You have people who are here legally, but simply don’t have a passport or aren’t documented and they still have a right to be here and prove that legal status.
“That tiny (Haitian) embassy cannot facilitate thousands of people getting a passport by that date, and what about persons in the Family Islands? How are those persons going to get to Nassau to apply?
“What in the world is going to happen after November 1, we don’t know,” Mr Georges said.
Mr Mitchell has not responded to repeated requests from The Tribune for clarification over the policy changes.
According to the minister, Cabinet is also considering a permanent ban on persons who have come here illegally and have been deported from qualifying for a permanent status in the Bahamas.
Mr Mitchell said the government was allowing a comment period before proceeding with formal proposals, which were intended to be implemented by January 1.
Oppression
Yesterday, Dr Louis also called for a closer look at the psychological violence experienced by persons of Haitian descent living in the Bahamas, particularly the oppression of young children in the public school system.
“When I was there in 2012, and seeing the billboards of the Progressive Liberal Party, billboards like ‘Bahamas for Bahamians,’ the persons I interviewed would say ‘Where does that leave me?’
“I think the Bahamas can draw from its own rich historical heritage, and the types of heritage and culture that people bring with them when they migrate to the Bahamas,” Dr Louis added. “I don’t see that happening with this strain of xenophobia. I have a lot of respect for the Bahamas, the country has a lot of potential. I think it needs to draw on its youth, and particularly the Haitian youth, especially the ones who are marginalized. So many want to make a contribution to society but they can’t because they’re not regularized.”
Comments
Emac 9 years, 6 months ago
When your ass come here and deal with the struggles of having strangers disrupt your way of living, present major health issues, crime issues, economic issues-When you as an outspoken advocate for the Haitian community encourage reform in Haiti to stop the flow of illegals in other people country, then you can open your mouth, Dr. Who. The reality is, sometimes you have to appear to be xenophobic to protect your own interest. Otherwise, people will take your kindness for weakness. And that is exactly what the majority of these so called undocumented Haitians have been doing. Like I always say, If the Bahamas was not a country that was friendly to America or a poor country, these people wouldn't give a dam about status.
ohdrap4 9 years, 6 months ago
I do not see how this is news. The climate in the bahamas is generally xenophobic. Not only towards haitians, but towards jamaicans, guyanese and asians as well. It is not only haitian descendants who cannot obtain passport until the age of 18, it is any nationality.
Plus what influence could this american have on public opinion around here. He is a foreigner.
GrassRoot 9 years, 6 months ago
we are not xenophobic about money. Money does not stink. Only one rule: "Give us your money, once you have no more - take a hike!"
Emac 9 years, 6 months ago
To Louby Georges: Since you believe that the Haitian Embassy in Nassau is too small to accommodate the influx of people that you think would like to apply for a Haitian passport, then let them travel to Haiti to do the same. After all, Haiti's policy is all are welcome once they are of Haitian descendent. If you really are an activist and you truly believe in your culture and the Country where your parents came from, why not direct the energy on rebuilding Haiti rather than telling Bahamian officials what they ought do. I personally could never grow enough balls as a Bahamian to go in someone else's country and tell them what is in the best interest of Bahamians, especially if I was born there after parents snuck in the country to have me.
evgeorge 9 years, 6 months ago
I am a Haitian (medical doctor) born in the Bahamas and have never travelled to Haiti but I would sure like to say this: the Bahamas is indeed xenophobic society and the ignorance of the masses is nauseating to say the least. When I read people like Emac's comments, it makes me feel ashamed to say I am from the Bahamas. The issues that our society face is not because of Haitians or any migrants….it is because of Bahamian born persons who have no values, goals, morals or ethical beliefs. In my humble opinion, I believe the Haitian Bahamians contribute more to the Bahamas than most raw born Bahamian. So castigate the Haitian Bahamians and use them as scapegoats as much as you would like but WE will continue to be productive members of a xenophobic society but change must come!!!!
Emac 9 years, 6 months ago
Evgeorge, you are missing the big picture here. You shouldn't expect for people to show much respect for a culture that has little regard for the laws of other countries that they invade. Respect begets respect. TO say that Haitian Bahamians contribute more to the Bahamas than raw born Bahamians is debatable. I don't even know what you mean by raw born Bahamian...Lol, But if you read my comments carefully, you will see that I never once made disparaging remarks about Haitian decendents. I simply stated facts. Now if these facts happen to cast negative light on your habits then I am not the one to blame. I am not saying that Bahamians are better than Haitian, I am simply saying that when you are a guest in someone's home you don't invade their space or try and change their whole living condition. I have Haitian friends that I would never dare look down on, I love kompa, I love grio. But these friends will tell you that we constantly discuss this hot topic and at the end of the day, no friendship is lost.
lucaya 9 years, 6 months ago
Please go home and ply your trade in Haiti george,you are well needed,in my book there will NEVER be such "Haitian Bahamian" it does not exit only in your head,and you is a doc?Muddos...
Andrewharris 9 years, 6 months ago
I have said this for years, Bahamians are xenophobic and ignorant beyond measure. It is not just towards Haitians but all of the Caribbean. However their issues with Haitians reeks of hatred and is so wide spread. It is truely sickening. And they proudly and loudly express their hatred and ignorance and still call themselves Christian. Few are even aware that they actually have french surnames with indicates Haitian heritage. Just read the comments above and the hatred becomes obvious.
CoralHarbour 9 years, 6 months ago
I do not agree with your point about surnames. I think that French surnames indicate French heritage not Haitian heritage. Haiti was a French colony and their surnames reflect their former French colonists. Is this not so?
Emac 9 years, 6 months ago
Andrewharris, I take it you probably live in some gated community where you are not affected by certain social problems brought on by these bunch. But when you move where I live where illegal and non illegal Haitians shit on your property, destroy your boundary, steal your power, pollute the area with dirty pampers and garbage, have 100s of pikininis run around naked wreaking havoc, use your property for short cut, start fires for no apparent reasons, constantly fight and argue, eat your pet cats (and the list goes on) then we can talk about Bahamian ignorance. THe problem is you don't experience the mess other Bahamian live. Walk in their shoes then come back to me and talk about xenophobia. IT IS CALLED FEDUP! Not xenophobic.
SP 9 years, 6 months ago
A definition of xenophobia is "dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries."
Bahamians dislike Haitians because they have no regard for our laws, have totally overwhelmed our healthcare, education and social services to the point that citizens of the Bahamas are unable to obtain medical care, our children are unable to receive quality education etc.
To add insult to injury Haitians undermine Bahamians in the labor market by learning skills from Bahamians then offering those skills at lower cost thereby eliminating those very Bahamians they learned skills from.
If what I described above equals "xenophobia"......Then Bahamians have every right to hate Haitians & better develop a heightened sense of "xenophobia" if they want to survive.
No matter if Bahamians are lazy, slow, inefficient, stupid or dumb, this country still belongs to Bahamians and we should do all possible to ensure the Bahamas is reserved for Bahamians.
NOBODY is immigrating to, or smuggling humans to, or trying sneak into Haiti!
Both Dr. Haitians should try selling their "Haitian xenophobia" theory in Dominican Republic where they too have had to put their foot down on parasitic Haitians that were costing them over $200M annually in medical services alone for Haitians....More "xenophobia" perhaps.
concernedcitizen 9 years, 6 months ago
WE AS BAHAMIANS HAVE BEEN SELLING OUR COUNTRY FOR 40 ODD YEARS ,EVERY POLITICAL GENERAL HAS 5 TO 10 WORK PERMITS FOR HIS/HER HATIAN 'SLAVES ' WITH 5 OR 6 GRAND I ,LL GET YOU THREE WORK PERMITS FOR FARM LABORERS IN A MONTH
Hogfish 9 years, 6 months ago
i'm beginning to wonder about the Guardian. Why would they even publish this crap? . Who could care less what some jonser in Tennesse has to say about our country.
Try getting a Bahamian to talk about american policies towards mexicans and see who would give a crap.
Again, I've said it before and I'll say it again.
The policies are to stem the mass influx of ILLEGAL immigrants and apply to ANYONE who would try and take advantage of us. It applies to Haitian, American, British, Canadian, Philipino etc etc. Anyone can also still come to The Bahamas legally, get your work permit and go on about your business in peace.
BUT
because the haitians are the vast majority of those who take advantage of our slack borders and then take advantage of our services to drop babies etc, they are obvioulsy going to be the ones to cry about it the loudest. In doing so they are also admitting they are a problem.
Hogfish 9 years, 6 months ago
and why are Bahamians xenophobic for just trying to protect their home?
I think most Bahamians are good natured and friendly to all our visitors.
But think of it this way and the following would apply to ANY human being:
Let's say you have a house guest come to stay:
You let them into your house to stay a while.
If you're lucky you have a spare bedroom or you let them stay on the couch.
You host them and let them help themselves to your food and beverage.
But then they don't want to leave because they have it better on your couch than back home.
They keep taking and it's more than you can afford to keep them.
They keep taking until the fridge is empty.
Then they sneek their brother or sister into your house and other family members and hide them in a cupboard.
And then they start to steal your childrens lunch money.
One of them then also goes to your boss and says he will do your job cheaper, boom, you lose your job.
Any people in the world would feel pissed off if this happened and would then resent that houseguest.
Now some people reading this might laugh and say this is far fetched. It is not. This is a reality.
SP 9 years, 6 months ago
Haitian parasites have rendered our country to the brink of economic collapse. Anyone that does not understand that, simply do not want to understand and we shouldn't give a dam what they think in any event!
Haitian President Michel Martelly ......"overflew"...... Dominican Republic and came to the Bahamas to tell our government to take care of Haitians?
Why are Haitians our problem and not their sister country Dominican Republics problem?
If xenophobia is what we need to protect our country from Haitian invaders.....Then by all means let's have ....."more xenophobia" ......and instill in our children that xenophobia against Haitians or anyone else that is destroying our country and way of life is a GOOD THING!
concernedcitizen 9 years, 6 months ago
ACTUALLY B/C WE ARE SO CROOKED WE BEEN SELLING IT TO THEM ,,FOR A COUP[LE GRAND I,LL GET YOU A FARM LABOUR PERMIT IN A MONTH ,,THATS ALL OLE STUBS USED TO DO ON POTTERS CAY ,,THEN ONCE YOU GET THEIR PERMIT IF THEY WORK ELSEWHERE THEY GOT TO KICK BACK ,,FUNNY THOUGH THEIR KIDS DO SO MUCH BETTER IN SCHOOL AND ARE LESS DISRUPTIVE
killemwitdakno 9 years, 6 months ago
Because it was amazing that the two countries came to an agreement to work together on the problem. Dominica has their own way they are dealing with it and it's not portraying them well in western view.
bismark 9 years, 6 months ago
GO HOME WHERE YOU BELONG.HAITI.
jackbnimble 9 years, 6 months ago
What I can't get over is how homey has the nerve to call tor public discussion. What the hell is is there to discuss? Haitians are the predominant cause of our illegal immigration issues. If Looey-George or George Looey - or whatever his name is - thinks our policies - which are clearly designed to stem this tsunami of his countrymen from invading our shores in mass - makes us xenophobic then I say let's be xenophobic or whatever it takes to get these blood suckers out of our country!
SP 9 years, 6 months ago
Dr. Haitian will have to revise his book to add Puerto Rico as being xenophobic against Haitians.
US Customs and Border Protection Patrol Agents apprehended Wednesday morning 32 undocumented Haitian migrants that landed Monday afternoon in Monito Island, Puerto Rico.
http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-med...">http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-med...
Obviously very popular for EVERYBODY to be xenophobic against invading Haitian parasites!
SP 9 years, 6 months ago
Dr. Haitians' personal definition of xenophobia renders his book worthless. Other regional countries also have illegal migrant problems and are now being more proactive in protecting their countries.
Trinidad national security minister promises to put an end to illegal immigration which make up 10% of the countries population.
What percentage of Haitians to Bahamians are in the Bahamas and at what point does Dr. Haitian think WE should start being concerned?
http://www.canesearch.com/trinidad-an...">http://www.canesearch.com/trinidad-an...
TheMadHatter 9 years, 2 months ago
*"Dr Louis, author of “My Soul Is in Haiti: Protestantism in the Haitian Diaspora of the Bahamas,” explained that he observed Haitian-Bahamian relations first-hand as he conducted research for his book during 2005 and 2012 in New Providence.
He said he was shocked at that time by the blatant discrimination and derogatory manner in which Haitians, and persons of Haitian descent were treated, which was often unmasked and celebrated in Bahamian society."****
That is the article - quoted above.
WHY IS HE SHOCKED???????? All he has to do is look at the title of his own book to know the answer. He says his soul is in Haiti. That is the problem WITH ALL OF THEM. They come here wanting to live better lives (they claim, but it is a lie) - and then celebrate Haitian Flag Day like it's Christmas.
His book has the very best title to describe the whole problem. Their bodies are here - but their minds and soul are still where they came from. In that way, they can be of no benefit to the Bahamas, or even themselves. Well, except that their kids probably all get A+ on their times-table quizzes, cause they learn from their parents how to multiply.
TheMadHatter
TheMadHatter 9 years, 2 months ago
Bahamians, I believe, would have no problem accepting Haitians if they wanted to be Bahamians.
If I ever moved to the USA, it would be because I wanted to become an American. Once there, I would not call myself a Bahamian-American.
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