Determining the number of undocumented Haitian migrants in The Bahamas is a matter of national priority, the President of the Bahamas National Baptist Missionary and Education Convention Rev. Dr. William Thompson declared last night.
He was addressing the annual Baptist convention which opened at the Faith United Missionary Baptist Church.
He also backed the efforts of the current Minister of Immigration Shane Gibson whose hard line approach to the matter of illegal immigration has been criticized by some.
“I am therefore proposing that we embark on a registration of all Haitian immigrants before a final decision is reached regarding their status,” he said. “The Baptist churches stand committed to assist in this registration exercise without any obligation one either side.”
Authorities continued with their round-up exercises on Tuesday collecting over 200 suspected illegal migrants in New Providence, some of whom were later determined to have legal status.
According to a preliminary assessment of Trafficking in Persons in the Caribbean Region, there are 20,000 to 50,000 Haitians living in the Bahamas as undocumented migrants.
Rev. Thompson called the problem of illegal migration a mighty wave threatening to overwhelm the country washing away its cultural, social and national identities. He said although sporadic action was taken by various administrations over the years, it was to no avail.
He also made this proposition: “When status is granted, Haitians should have on their person at all times, documents, evidence to prove that they have been granted permission to live and work in this country in order to avoid unnecessary confrontation with law enforcement agencies.”
Supporting a statement that the immigration minister has been repeating, the Baptist leader said no one should be able to apply for a work permit if he or she is already inside The Bahamas illegally.
Additionally he backed the enforcement of harsh penalties against employers caught hiring an undocumented migrant.
Rev. Thompson also tackled a number of pertinent issues confronting The Bahamas including crime and carnage on the streets, economic and labour matters and tourism.
He said crime stalks our land with ﾑtornadic destructivenessﾒ causing families to become prisoners in their own homes, calling for the church to take the lead role in eradicating the scourge.
“I call upon the Minister of National Security, along with the Commissioner of Police and the Christian Church to marshal our best minds to evaluate, analyze and research specific questions as its relates to crime,” he told the congregation.
“Further, we must explore efforts, which have been effectively used by other countries to reduce the incidence of criminal activities. All too often, we accept recidivistic activities as the price we pay for advancements in technological and economic sophistication. This is a defeatist position.”
On the matter of lingering negotiations with the Bahamas Union of Teachers and the government the cleric said it is incomprehensible that the talks continue to drag on for so long. Sending a message he said the Bahamians peopleﾒs level of tolerance is at a very critical stage.
And in a resounding endorsement of the governmentﾒs economic vision for The Bahamas, Rev. Thompson applauded the effort to place anchor developments on the major Family Islands.
“This trend would inevitably reduce the overcrowding in New Providence,” he said. “There is a concern however and this concern is being echoed by our Prime Minister almost daily. Consequently, some of the bad habits of New Providence are now manifesting themselves on these tranquil islandsﾅI appeal to the police to monitor persons with known behavioural problems who are now moving to these islands.”
Hundreds of Baptists are expected to attend this week the churchﾒs 71st Annual Session under the theme Moving Beyond Barriers To Complete The Work.
By: Tameka Lundy, The Bahama Journal
