EDITOR, The Tribune.
“On balance, immigrants are not a drag on the economy. As workers, consumers, entrepreneurs, and taxpayers, they invigorate it and contribute healthy economic benefits. Admitting immigrants improves everyone’s standard of living, theirs and ours.” – Julian Simon.
The drama being played out recently over the “rounding up” of Haitians seems little more than political posturing.
The fact is, the precedent has been set by successive governments ignoring the plight of illegal immigrants in our midst for as long as The Bahamas has been independent. People are born here and left stateless when they are adults and are not able to contribute meaningfully to The Bahamas or any other country through no fault of their own.
So the immigration department rounds them up and attempts to ship them off (repatriate them is the politically correct term).
As an aside, besides the contribution the Haitian immigrants make to this community, they send money back home to help their relatives. This probably serves as better humanitarian aid than funds sent to the Haitian political class.
The Immigration department of the government is implementing a revised policy to grant permits and charge fees for children born here to go to school. The weak defence to criticisms of this new policy is to compare their action to Bahamian students having to apply and pay for a visa to study in the United States.
At the same time the department of immigration recently raised work permit taxes for expatriate workers (mostly professionals) to work in the private sector, and is now reportedly raising fees for permanent residency and more.
In the meantime, The Bahamas Government continues to hire expatriates, some say hundreds, without the constraints it places on the private sector.
Work permits for foreigners to work for the government are issued without hesitation, at the stroke of pen, while the private sector must wait for months and grapple with the government “losing the application” and more.
Instead of selling the elixir of xenophobia for political purposes, The Bahamas should harness the horse that’s already bolted the barn to its advantage in a rational manner.
Legitimising the stateless individuals in the country is crucial to creating a civil way forward and helping solve a generational problem for The Bahamas.
First and foremost, the Haitian Government should provide passports to all children born here to illegal immigrants.
Second, as this is home to those children, they should be provided with some form of status of residency allowing them the opportunity to work or go off to college and contribute to society, either here, Haiti or wherever they are welcomed.
Allowing Bahamians to enjoy the benefits resulting from legal immigrants like increases in investment, productivity, ethnic restaurants, ideas, and more is necessary for the advancement of The Bahamas in general.
As Julian Simon said: “We do not need to balance the gains to them against the sacrifice to ourselves. We do not even need to raise the ethical issue of drawing a boundary around our nation and saying that those lucky enough to be born within are entitled to opportunities that we deny to others. Immigration is good for ourselves at the same time that it is good for the immigrants.”
The elephant in the room is the inherent danger when the Immigration Laws are subject to the whim of the Minister, Fred Mitchell in this instance, instead of impartial law. The unintended consequences might be as many as they are varied.
THE NASSAU INSTITUTE
Nassau,
February 4, 2015.
Comments
birdiestrachan 9 years, 2 months ago
The Nassau Institute is well aware that Julian L Simon was writing about America and not about the Bahamas. The Bahamas situation is different. I am sure that those persons who are of the Nassau Institute do not live near shanty towns, their children do not go to public schools and they do not sit on chairs while they are in pain because there are no beds for them to lie in at both PMH and the Rand memorial. because the illegals are in the beds. so they being who they are can feel justified to write what they have written.
The illegals may be making your lives comfortable, because of cheap labour. But there are many Bahamians who are cleaning yards and they are doing a good job. You all should be ashamed to quote that poor dead man Julian L Simon when you all do know better.
I suppose it is all about getting back at the Government. because you do mention how easy it is for them to hire foreign workers.
mangogirl01 9 years, 2 months ago
You are so right BirdieStrachan. I am fully 100% behind Minister Mitchell on implementing our immigration policy in all areas where needed, it is long overdue! All of these Tom, Dick and Harrys' who opposed the Minister on this need to let all the illegal immigrants (the majority who are Haitians and who are abusing our education, heath and social services more than any other nationality) come and live with them! Again, keep up the good work Minister Mitchell and our Immigration Department!
Girly 9 years, 2 months ago
Minister Mitchell Kudos to you and the government. Awesome job. Finally a government that is not afraid to set things right for a country that has been slack for years regarding immigration.
Emac 9 years, 2 months ago
THE NASSAU INSTITUTE has been hidden for years and was silent on many other pressing issues that have effected the Bahamian masses. Now all of a sudden we are hearing from them?
Girly 9 years, 2 months ago
For real.Totally biased!!!!!
Girly 9 years, 2 months ago
These will be the same people who would cry out SAVE US if they became strangers in their own country. Just like NOAH warned the people they would be outside the boat drowning in their own ignorance.
Economist 9 years, 2 months ago
What do you think of this?
"In the meantime, The Bahamas Government continues to hire expatriates, some say hundreds, without the constraints it places on the private sector.
Work permits for foreigners to work for the government are issued without hesitation, at the stroke of pen, while the private sector must wait for months and grapple with the government “losing the application” and more."
We know that its true, what do you say Girly and birdiestrachan? Government does not think Bahamians are worth much. The proof is in the all the foreigners they hire and then pay your and my tax dollars to.
What do you say?
Girly 9 years, 2 months ago
Key word........."HIRED"............NOT SNUCKED IN ILLEGALLY AND CLAIMING RIGHTS. How many more Excuses Economist.
Economist 9 years, 2 months ago
So you are saying that it is ok for Government to hire foreigners but not for Bahamian Businesses?
I was asking for your opinion of the policy of government hiring's, nothing else.
Girly 9 years, 2 months ago
There are many immigrants that are hired LEGALLY every year by the private sector. Teachers, nurses etc. Just check the private schools,private hospital and private businesses. So I don't know what you are talking about.
Economist 9 years, 2 months ago
For example, recently the Government hired McKinsey to do a study on Freeport. Two young (one in his 20's the other in his 30's) men who had never been to Freeport before to tell the Government what to do.
There have been no town meetings to find out what the people feel. There was never meetings with large groups of businessmen. And there has been no consultation with the majority (around 2,000) of the GBPA Licensees (the small Bahamian owned businesses).
The bill to government will be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The result will be based on foreigners speaking, primarily, with foreign business owners.
We have Bahamians who can do this job and do it better. The money paid to Bahamians will stay here in our country.
Now Government goes and hires a group to tell them the best way to start a plane registry and again there are qualified Bahamians who can do the job.
The permits for these foreigners are produced in days. Bahamian businesses have to wait weeks and months.
Emac 9 years, 2 months ago
Girly,Girly, Girly... You ain't get it yet? Why are you still trying to debate with economist on the issue of ILLEGAL HAITIANS? He and DEDDIE would like to see ONLY one thing happen regarding ILLEGAL HAITIAN immigrants in the Bahamas, and that is they be regularized in some form or the other. They will twist and turn and misconstrue any article in this paper that points to anything involving immigration. Don't expect for them to reach any kind of compromise either: That Haitian blood is ingrained deep in their veins, so their sense of reasoning is nil. Again, here is Economist solution to the problem of ILLEGAL HAITIANS in the Bahamas:
"I would consider granting citizenship to those who have been here over twenty years and are making a valuable contribution to our society. Thirdly, I would consider granting residence, with the right to work in the business for which they are trained or skilled to those who had been here for over fifteen years and can show a connection with the country (Bahamian wife or husband with or without children). For those who have lived here for over ten years I would consider granting a work permit. Again they would also have to show a connection with the country (husband /wife)."
You see what I am saying? If you really examine Economist's statement above you will see that he wants all of his people to be regularized by some means. So that when this happens you will have more of them to drag the Bahamian flag behind them during Haitian flag day and more to threaten Bahamians with the Columbian necktie vibe!
Girly 9 years, 2 months ago
LOLOLOL,FOR REAL.
Girly 9 years, 2 months ago
And the thing is I wonder if they have any other comments regarding any other situation occurring in the Bahamas or regarding any other immigrant,smh.
Economist 9 years, 2 months ago
Emac, I was asking for solutions to a very vexing problem and to start the debate off through that out for discussion. You have to have a starting point for a discussion.
Your emotional rants wont solve anything. I am not hard and firm on the above. It is there for us to discuss, a way to find what, at the end of the day, is a practical solution.
We have many vexing problems in our country and we, as a people need to start giving them serious consideration.
For example some people feel that instituting the death sentence will solve most of the murders, others feel that the problem goes much deeper. How would you deal with it?
Let's help make this country a better place.
Emac 9 years, 2 months ago
@Economist-You are absolutely correct! We do need a starting point for discussion. Two things though-Firstly, I am far from being an emotionalist. You cannot label people for calling you out my friend. Secondly, there are two sides to a coin. But you know what? I am been pondering this whole vibe dred, in particular the pending policy that will demand that children that are non Bahamian require a student permit for registration. Further, my friend, just to prove to myself that I am not being unfair or bias in my accessment of this situation, I was able question about 20 Haitian parents, in which 15 of them was ILLEGAL. 100% of those questioned believe that the new policy is unfair. When I asked them why, most believe that it is the government's responsibility to provide free education.
Before I continue, let me be clear on something. I am by now way prejudice against any nationality. In fact, I embrace and learn from different cultures. My greatest pet peeve however, is when people are ungrateful! What makes matters worst is when people are not willing or careless about resolving a situation. The greatest problem with the illegal Haitian immigrant is that he does not want to make ANY contribution whatsoever if he can get away with it. As long as he is working, he is fine. All of his monies go back to his peoplee in Haiti. He would try to manipulate the system as much as possible so to NOT pay any bills or fees while living in the Bahamas. If he is made to pay some a fee or a bill, he tries to bribe some official to pay as little of that fee as possible.
So my question to Economist and all those who oppose the proposed policy: Tell me, should me continue to allow illegal parents, particularly HAITIAN WOMEN to bring forth a huge amount of children, put them all in government school without any input from the government? Some illegal Haitian women have as much as 10 children in the government school system. So what then is your answer. Let's just say that there are about 20,000 illegal Haitian women who have one child in government school each year.( And trust me I am being very modest with this figure.) Let's face it, these women pay no taxes or make any contribution to society. Should the Bahamian people who are made to pay taxes and other bills have to pay for the schooling of each of these 20,000 children each year? Huh?? Tell me. What should happen?
Emac 9 years, 2 months ago
Please excuse my typos. Was typing really fast! :(
Economist 9 years, 2 months ago
First thank you.
We are all agreed with the idea of making everyone pay for their share of the cost of school. Indeed, it is very necessary that we increase revenue and stop wastage wherever we can.
The question is how do we do this in a sustainable way, and a way that will comply with both our and international law.
Even the US with its problems has found that the idea of shipping illegals back is easier said than done. They have, though, started to take serious steps to plug the border with an extra 20,000 border patrol personnel.
So what has happened in The Bahamas? First we have not secured our borders, so we have a constant flow of unrestricted illegal immigrants.
In the mid seventies it was clear who the illegals were but immigration was very lax and a few illegals were rounded up and deported. Few people said anything and those that did were ignored by the government and, by extension, immigration.
When someone presents themselves at the hospital to have a baby, or anything else for that matter, they are asked to pay a fee. When they say that they do not have the money they should be sent to Social Services. Social Services is supposed to make the appropriate inquiries (where do you live, where do you work, who is your husband, or who is the father, where does he live etc.) Social Services is supposed to have an officer at the hospital at all times for this very reason.
If the Social Services officer is satisfied that this is a case that justifies free services the officer is to inform the hospital.
Social Services is then supposed to follow up and visit the parties concerned to see what needs to be done and, where the persons are not citizens, to notify Immigration at the earliest possible time. Social Services has failed to do what it is paid to do.
If Social Services had done its job then we would have far fewer children being born at the hospitals as a number of illegals would have then been processed under the law and deported.
Next you have Immigration itself which, by its own admission, has been lax by allowing a number of persons to work without proper follow up and thus without work permits. This gives rise to yet another legal problem, and that is the doctrine known as "legitimate expectation". This, very simply put, occurs when the law is not enforced over a number of years and people are able to do something without being stopped.
So immigration has probably given thousands of illegals the legitimate expectation, under the law, to work.
Add to all this the fact that The Bahamas has signed on to a bunch of international treaties and conventions.
So it is from within this framework that you, me, and everyone else needs to figure out what we do.
Lastly, from a financial point for the country we must not forget that someone who is legal pays taxes and can be found.
I think that we can resolve this vexing problem, but tat it will take time and the commitment of us all.
Emac 9 years, 2 months ago
Economist is trying to be rational with a people who do not think rationally. Even if we the people of the Bahamas decide to continue providing free education for the many, many, many children of the illegal Haitian, something must be done to at least document the amount of these bastards that are running around our society. Cause trust me, many years from now, these same children can be the very ones that take on the Bahamians like the terrorists that were involved with the Charlie Hebdo shooting in France. The two brothers that were responsible for this tragedy also belonged to immigrants. Their allegiance were NOT for the country that fed them and provided them with a good education. Just saying..
Girly 9 years, 2 months ago
Or you would have those who continue to drag our flag through the street,burn it and threaten us with the Colombian necktie.These same little darlings that we have been providing free education etc will be some of the same ones that will grow up and stab us in the back later.Just listen to the ones that are on air who now have their passports.JUST LISTEN to their speech even though everything was provided free.They have more loyalty to Haiti where their parents come from.Zoe for life is their speech.The only time you would hear them say I am Bahamian is when they don't want to get deported or to get their passport.These people have no loyalty to the Bahamas.So now my question is what caused these same darlings to drag our flag through the mud years before this new immigration policy came into effect even though everything was provided for them.These people have the same personality as many of those revolting in Haiti as we speak.Why? because their parents grew up there and guess who you learn from the most?.Your parents.Bahamians were never as outspoken about this immigration thing as when that man stood up and threatened us. So who started this whole thing? Think about it.
Emac 9 years, 2 months ago
So true!
Economist 9 years, 2 months ago
On Thursday the Immigration Department stated that it had many applications tat it had not dealt with. Minister Mitchell has been hiring large numbers for the department.
In action on the part of immigration can be very frustrating for people and it also causes others not to bother to apply.
Let's hope immigration will now get on with the job.
It also turns out that Immigration has a form for which there is no law and they hope that Parliament will pass the necessary legislation.
Emac 9 years, 2 months ago
In another column DEDDIE wrote,"Enforcing the new policy will be interesting. The only criteria the government plan to use to distinguish a Bahamian child from a Haitian child is the surname. The average Bahamian child from Bain town don't have a passport and his parent don't have a passport."
Sounds condescending to me. But anyway. How can we differentiate a Bahamian child from that of a Haitian child? Dem high cheek bones, dats how. How u think immigration officers can spot a Haitian from a mile off?
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