By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Darren Henfield agreed with Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ assertion that illegal immigration is a threat to the Bahamas, saying the country must not sit idly by and allow it to be “overtaken” by another country.
“We’ve been grappling with this problem for the last 50 years,” he told reporters outside of the Churchill Building yesterday. “Bahamians have been, in my estimation, quite tolerant.”
Mr Henfield said despite “fruitful discussions” with Haitian officials not much has been done to slow the number of undocumented migrants fleeing Haiti to the Bahamas.
Mr Henfield continued: “I think we are doing all that we can on a diplomatic level, reaching out to Haitian policymakers to explain to them that the way that this is happening is unfair to Bahamians and it has to stop.
“… We will continue to enforce the boarders, and we will continue to make diplomatic efforts to cause the Haitian government to appreciate what this effort or what this influx, the affect it is having on the Bahamas.
“The unfettered immigration of any people into a country like ours impacts us on many fronts. We have to invest in security and then, you know, the social aspects of it. There is threat to our national security along the lines of our economy as well; socially, people come and they have to go to schools, that impacts us; they have to have healthcare, that impacts us. There are other issues where you have to focus your law enforcement in that particular area which is a challenge for us,” he added.
Mr Henfield suggested the Bahamas must stand up for itself.
“… We will not stand idly by and allow us to be overtaken by any country who’s seeking to, you know,” he said.
“I heard someone say last night on the news that it is not a security threat, it is. That is why the issue of illegal migration is such a rife topic all across the globe. Everywhere you go people are talking about it because there has to be controlled migration. The government does not plan for illicit migration or for illegal migration into its territory. We plan for what we know, and so we are going to have to find more ways in which to mitigate and stem the flow. I think the Defence Force is doing a good job. I think we will continue to work as assiduously as we can on the diplomatic front to cause the Haitian government to come to the table and appreciate efforts that we are trying to make,” he said.
When asked by reporters if plans were underway for a second visit to Haiti in the wake of recent trends, Mr Henfield said no.
He told reporters that he has taken the initiative to reach out to Haiti’s new Foreign Minister Bocchit Edmond.
Of the latter, he added: “We will work … I believe we will work with anyone who appreciate the danger of unfettered migration into any country such as the Bahamas. A small country like ours, with less than 400,000 people, to be inundated with uncontrollable numbers of migrants is intolerable.”
Immigration Minister Brent Symonette also spoke about the issue yesterday.
“(Migrants) don’t just turn up,” he said. “This is big business.
“Trafficking of people is a big business and there are people living amongst us that are dealing with it.”
He said officials in the Department of Immigration have been working to improve many of the policies and practices which have proved counterproductive in the past, chief among which was the practice of deporting persons without a court hearing.
“Now persons will be prosecuted, they will have a criminal record and they won’t, certainly under my watch, get a work permit,” Mr Symonette told reporters. “That is the first phase.”
The second phase would be the incorporation of drone technology along the country’s southern borders.
Thirdly, Mr Symonette revealed that the Minnis administration was close to concluding its review of the Immigration Act, saying an amended bill could be presented to the public in the coming months for consultation.
He said Bahamians must confront how they contribute to the situation by seeking foreign labour.
“If I tell you ladies that your live-in nanny who takes care of your child has to go home in six years, you’d say well I just had a child born, I want that nanny to take care of my child. That is a legitimate concern, but see where the problem starts,” he said.
“We’ve nationalised since we did the Immigration Commission probably about 500 non-nationals. The minute we nationalise a lot of (these persons), I don’t know how many of you are aware, but the parents apply for the children who were born here before they were made Bahamian,” Mr Symonette added.
“So I (swear in) one person who is Bahamian, about four or five other children come under. So when I say we’ve done 300, 400 persons in the Immigration Commission, you’re talking about probably 1,200 people because the children come after that.”
“So it gets to be an exponential problem,” Mr Symonette said.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis characterised the ongoing migrant crisis as a serious threat to major sectors of Bahamian society.
Comments
TalRussell 5 years, 3 months ago
Yes, or no - comrade crown minister Henfield must be suggesting that the citizens stand up for themselves cause there is zero evidence of Imperial reds delivering on a single immigration promise other than ease up on illegals, make it easier obtain work permits and to be granted permanent residency and ease requirement for speedy granting citizenship. { Yes, no - can't just make up that the only business operator be charged under governing reds is a "foreigner" who it's alleged - hired he own "foreigner" self? }.Yes, no but stranger still is no elected red governing official wants talk about the serious bribe allegations revealed before a US court?
BahamasForBahamians 5 years, 3 months ago
We don't care for the big words and press release..
Just get the illegals out and keep them out.
SP 5 years, 3 months ago
Blah, blah, blah, blah. Stop standing around talking bullshyt and seriously enforce the law regarding the hiring of illegals!
Simply put an end to the demand and there would be no need for the supply.
Politicians are blowing smoke up there own ass's because we the people have been yelling this from the rooftops for 50 years!
pingmydling 5 years, 3 months ago
Darren build the WALL !!! To keep Haitians out? No, to keep Bahamians in. This message is brought to you by your friendly neighborhood anarchists. Viva la revolution !!!!!!
bogart 5 years, 3 months ago
THE MINISTER SAYS "We cannot sit idly by...."...........well...... COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY..LEGISLATORS...!!!.....narrows it down....present crises...increasing from some 50 years of grappling..........to who ... themselves....!!!!,!........ITS THE LEGISLATORS WHO ELECTED TO LEGISLATE.......run da gubbermint......STOP COPPING OUT AN WANTING TO...NOW.. THROW THE BLANE ON BAHAMIAN PUBLIC FOR BEING TOLERANT WHICHININ ERRYBODY KNOWS IT AINT THE BAHAMIAN PUBLIC... intolerant Bahamian public changing gubbermints erry 5 years.......SO WHAT THE MINISTER INTENDS TO DO...??????.....excuses...excuses...catchy phrases....
Schemer18 5 years, 3 months ago
THIS IS A DUMB GOVERNMENT HEY. READ BAHAMIAN READ. # "Mr Henfield continued: “I think we are doing all that we can on a diplomatic level, reaching out to Haitian policymakers to explain to them that the way that this is happening is unfair to Bahamians and it has to stop."
JUST DUMB AGAIN KNOWING THE MUTIPLE ODDS OF THE ILLEGAL MIGRANTS AGAISNT THE BAHAMIAN POPULOUS.
"Thirdly, Mr Symonette revealed that the Minnis administration was close to concluding its review of the Immigration Act, saying an amended bill could be presented to the public in the coming months for consultation.
He said Bahamians must confront how they contribute to the situation by seeking foreign labour.
“If I tell you ladies that your live-in nanny who takes care of your child has to go home in six years, you’d say well I just had a child born, I want that nanny to take care of my child. That is a legitimate concern, but see where the problem starts,” he said.
“We’ve nationalised since we did the Immigration Commission probably about 500 non-nationals. The minute we nationalise a lot of (these persons), I don’t know how many of you are aware, but the parents apply for the children who were born here before they were made Bahamian,” Mr Symonette added.
“So I (swear in) one person who is Bahamian, about four or five other children come under. So when I say we’ve done 300, 400 persons in the Immigration Commission, you’re talking about probably 1,200 people because the children come after that.”
“So it gets to be an exponential problem,” Mr Symonette said."
joeblow 5 years, 3 months ago
Why can't we sit idly by and be taken over by another country? Isn't that what we were doing all along?
birdiestrachan 5 years, 3 months ago
When the representatives from the Dominica republic came to speak to Henfield about their people fishing in Bahamian waters. It was akin to a lion and a Pussy cat.
Henfield was the pussy cat. his defense was the PLP had no agreement with them,
Henfield they know when they are fishing in Bahamian waters. It is said that they fire on the Bahamian fisher men.
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