Newly appointed Minister of Immigration, Labour and Training Shane Gibson yesterday outlined an “aggressive” plan to tackle the illegal immigration problem, which has plagued the country for decades.
He sent a stern warning to illegal immigrants, asking them to voluntarily leave the country immediately because his ministry will not stop until all illegal immigrants are captured.
Minister Gibson’s comments in the House of Assembly came a week after the country faced a sudden influx of undocumented Haitian immigrants.
He told parliamentarians that the problem still remains a serious one despite the many efforts to detain and repatriate the illegal immigrants.
“The government and the populace are equally to be blamed,” said Minister Gibson, who was contributing to debate on the Speech from the Throne. “The populace because of our willingness to employ illegal immigrants without first ensuring that they are legally in the country.”
He also said, “Governments have failed to introduce policies to properly manage the incessant flow of persons wishing to reside in The Bahamas.”
Minister Gibson said that the country is in need of a national migration policy, which covers every aspect of migration such as regular migration, labour migration and irregular migration.
Regular migration refers to persons who enter for specified short periods for educational, business or tourism purposes or those who after living here for long periods apply to reside on a more permanent basis.
Labour migration refers to persons who enter the country for the purpose of legally taking up employment in The Bahamas, and irregular migration refers to persons who are smuggled or trafficked.
“I take the view that the number of illegal immigrants must be reduced, but in a humane and orderly fashion,” Minster Gibson said.
In an effort to document and stop the reoccurrence of the same illegal immigrants, Minister Gibson said his ministry will fingerprint all immigrants before they are deported.
According to the minister, as of yesterday no consideration would be given for any new applications for work permit for individual who are visitors or are here illegally.
He said he has advised the immigration department not to accept the documents. Documents sent by mail would be retuned immediately.
“I am minded to consider applications for renewals up to three years for persons who have been employed for a period of not less than five years as live-in-maids, housekeepers, farm labourers, handymen, gardeners etc., provided the fee is paid in full and they continue to make the National Insurance contributions,” Minister Gibson said.
“We have heard too often how Bahamians feel excluded from competing for promotions or other job opportunities that are made available to expatriate employees. The Department of Immigration will no longer waive the requirements that a position be advertised in the local media.”
He said companies will now required to list their name in the advertisements along with telephone contacts, mailing addresses, and an outline of the job description and qualifications.
“A number of employers and persons were granted approvals in respect of their application to the Department of Immigration,” Minister Gibson said.
“I am told that in some cases, unscrupulous employers have misused the employees’ fee and have not paid for the work/residence permits. I am further informed by the Department that these permits need to be paid for as a matter of urgency.”
The immigration minister also said that the proposed legislation foreshadowed in the Speech from the Throne to provide for stiffer penalties for those who assist in the smuggling of illegal immigrants and for the employment of illegal immigrants will be brought to the House of Assembly “for early debate and passage”.
Minister Gibson said that he will commit the same energy, vigor and excitement to his new ministry as he did with his former housing ministry.
By: Bianca Symonette, The Bahama Journal
