EDITOR, The Tribune.
Why are we so hateful to the sons and daughters of our Bahamian soil?
Just because they happened to have been born of non-Bahamian citizen parents?
Why are we so hateful to foreigners when The Bahamas is made of a pool of foreign blood?
Why does the administration of immigration laws have to become such an emotional political football providing opportunities for politicians to grandstand for political rhetoric and re-election?
Why make simple issues complicated?
Why allow artificial distinctions to create an “illegal” class?
It’s very simple. Even the Constitution in substance recognises it. People born in the Bahamas are entitled to Bahamian citizenship. Basically those born before 1973 are entitled to it.
Those born after 1973 who apply between 18 and 19 are entitled to it. Those born in the Bahamas but apply after 19 ... they can apply but aren’t entitled to it.
There is a simple fix, and one which cannot be morally, legally or ethically challenged.
Just pass a simple law that says: All persons born in The Bahamas are automatically Bahamian citizens. They should not have to apply. Being born here should be the ticket.
Simple. Easy. No complication. Pass such a law!
They should just be automatically entitled to citizenship, thus avoiding creating all of these artificial distinctions and opportunities for political sophistry and grandstanding. And creating “Them v We” mentality; of promoting discrimination; of creating an outlaw class. Stop promoting discrimination!
People born in The Bahamas should just simply be Bahamian citizens and, by production of their birth certificates, get a passport.
It’s a simple as that !
That is the general law elsewhere in civilised nations and we should stop being uncivilised, inhuman and degrading. We are simply creating problems where none actually exist.
It is inhumane and degrading to keep people born before 1973, or after 1973 and who apply between their 18th and 19th birthdays, waiting for decades to get a certificate of their status and entitlement, to pay for a permit to belong in the meantime.
It is inhumane and degrading for those born after 1973 but who apply after 19 to be to be kept waiting or to be refused.
To be made to apply for citizenship, or belongers permits, or work permits, etc, because they simply didn’t know they had to apply between the age of 18 and 19.
Where has our sense of decency, of humanity, of sensibility gone in The Bahamas when we foster these artificial distinctions?
And worse still, when we couch them in nationalistic fervour, warmongering words, aggressive policies that make people outlaws.
Why do our politicians do this? It is so unnecessary, so counterproductive, so dehumanising, so awful and sends such a terrible message about how we view ourselves.
How we hate our very own sons and daughters of the soil of our Bahamaland. How racist we are. How xenophobic we are. How hateful we are. For God’s sake, how unchristian of us!
And let’s remember – what is The Bahamas made of? How many cabinet ministers are of foreigner heritage? What are we afraid of?
Remember, Bahamians are of Haitian, Iranian, Greek, Trinidadian, Guyanese, Barbadian, Palestinian, Lebanese, Syrian, Jordanian, Indian, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, Caymanian, Jamaican, Turks and Caicos, Canadian, American, Mexican, Panamanian, Filipino, Venezuelan, Colombian, Ecuadorian, South American, English, Irish, Scottish, French and Chinese ... my God, what a beautiful crucible!
Bahamians are a beautiful mixture. Why not embrace and celebrate our fabulous heritages?
We should celebrate opportunities to create ethnic, racial and international diversity; of a variety of Bahamian blood instead of being so hateful and exclusive.
I beg our governments – please stop the abuse. Let’s really be “One Bahamas”.
FRED SMITH, QC,
Freeport,
August 31, 2015.
Comments
Sickened 8 years, 7 months ago
I don't think that this solution will help with our illegal immigration issue. I agree with simplifying the process but I don't agree that someone should be able to sneak into a country have a child here and then never have to leave because their baby was born here. Just like in the U.S., you can have a child there but once it's born and you pay your hospital bill you must leave the country with your U.S. child and then the child's parents have to apply for a green card if they want to live in the U.S.
I will agree to doing it your way ONLY if you agree that, from this day forward, illegal immigrants have absolutely no right to live and stay in this country without proper authorisation. So, today all people born in The Bahamas are granted citizenship BUT starting tomorrow children born in The Bahamas to illegal immigrant's will have no right to citizenship. Do you agree Fred???
birdiestrachan 8 years, 7 months ago
How can Fred Smith out of one side of his mouth say "one Bahamas" and on the other side. call for Haitians to form a party in the Bahamas, it does not add up. Bahamians who have babies in the USA have to obtain a Bahamian passport. and it does not give the parent the right to live in the USA. The Bahamas is over run with illegal immigrants and shanty towns. enough is enough.
Emac 8 years, 7 months ago
This maniac is pushing his agenda full force ahead. Beneath all of this talks, he really wants to see someone of Haitian heritage lead this great country. I am sorry Fred, but the Bahamian populous will never accept what Haitians have to offer this country. They have never made any meaningful contributions, they break down rather than build up and they are always looking for a free ride at 5. But Fred, forget the Bahamas-Why don't you and Daphne Campbell team up and make Haiti the best country in the Caribbean by first cleaning up the mess over there?
My2cents 8 years, 7 months ago
It is the illegal parents who degrade and dehumanise their kids by not securing the required legal documents within the 19 year window to ensure that they can apply at 18. It's required of ALL foreign nationals, not just Haitians. It is not the government's fault or responsibility to make up for parental negligence.
Furthermore, how will automatic citizenship benefit the country? How will it stop or slow illegal immigration? How will it improve the unemployment rate? How can we be xenophobic; multi-cultural and multi-racial? Could it be that the Bahamas simply cannot sustain tens of thousands of illegal immigrants regardless of their race or historical link to the country? It's not hate, it's survival.
As usual Fred Smith makes no sense.
Cas0072 8 years, 7 months ago
The Bahamas is as "heartless" as Haiti and approximately 85 percent of the world, where birthright citizenship is not a right for practical reasons. These constant reassurances to illegal immigrants that they are victims who hold zero accountability for their actions is counterproductive. If he was as passionate about clarifying the wording in the constitution as he is in seeking drama and attention, I believe that the entitlement to apply for citizenship at 18, versus an entitlement to register as citizens would not still be a question. And if his interpretation is correct, the system would not be so clogged with useless applications.
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