The Barbados government has delivered on its promise to establish a committee to investigate complaints stemming from its recent implementation of an immigration policy that has stirred region-wide debate.
The enforcement of the policy has led to complaints of maltreatment and early morning raids on the homes of undocumented Guyanese, some of whom have been sent back home with hardly any opportunity to put departure arrangements in place.
On July 28 last, Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson, in addressing the issue of clearing a backlog of Caricom immigrants seeking immigrant status on the island, pointed out that prominent lawyer Keith Simmons would chair the special investigative committee for “any complaints that might be made.” “But having said all of this, I just want to make it clear that the position that I previously outlined regarding our immigration policy remains the same,” the Barbados Nation reported.
Thompson, during the nationally-televised press conference from his official residence, told the Barbados media that over 5,000 Caribbean nationals were seeking immigrant status there. According to the report, Thompson blamed the backlog on the previous Owen Arthur administration, which had failed to take decisive measures to address the issue. “Most of these applications are old . . . and no action was taken,” the report quoted him as saying.
Thompson, according to the report, reiterated that while his government remained committed to the free movement of Caricom nationals, Barbados had “to redesign” the commitments previously given. He also restated that Barbados had no choice but to regulate its immigration policy since the social services simply could not cope with a flood of immigrants.
During a press conference in Guyana, Thompson had called for evidence of the alleged acts and promised that he would spearhead the setting up of a committee to investigate any such complaints. The local Foreign Affairs Ministry set up a complaints desk at the ministry and at its honorary consulate in Barbados, where victims of the alleged harassment lodged complaints. Those complaints were then sent to the relevant authorities by Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.
5000 seeking immigrant status in addition to 30000 undocumented. Add those numbers to 277000 citizens, you arrive at 312000. Divide that by 166 sq miles equals 1880 persons per sq mile. One of the highest ratios in the entire world. Yet we are being asked to open the flood gates to all and sundry, including a caricom country that averages 9 persons per sq mile. Guess Barbadians are expected to live like crabs in a barrel and our neighbours will be happy.
kick them out, stick to your policy, or are you afraid of isolation.
may be that is the reason for the sudden compromise.
STICK TO YOUR GUNS MAN>
freespeech, you said, “kick them out, stick to your policy, or are you afraid of isolation.” I have always believed that it is relative isolation that has kept Barbados from experiencing many of the problems that have plagued other Caricom nations like Guyana. Until recently, when foreigners have been imposing themselves on us, we stuck to ourselves and did what we knew we needed to do to develop our country. We went our own way, instead of following other Caricom countries down self destructive paths. Isolation is a good thing, I think. I think we need to isolate ourselves now and not get too involved in the internal affairs of other Caricom countries. You Guyanese need to work out your own problems and not look to Bajans and others to sacrifice themselves to bail you out of situations you are unwilling to bail yourselves out of.
Unfortunately for you, Barbados is too wildly popular with people outside of Caricom and provides too many jobs and other opportunities for Caricom nationals for it to be isolated in the manner in which you would like it to be isolated. Guyanese are not popular enough in the world to get a significant number of people to boycott Barbados.
Patriotism is the refuge of the scoundrel. Thompson is increasing his popularity on the miseries of defenceless illegals mainly Guyanese in Barbados. This London-born naturalized citizen of Barbados is more Barbadian than Owen Arthur,a true native son of the soil.
A committee comprising members with thoughts and ideas similar to Thompson’s is no advance in bringing to an end the gestapo like tactics of early morning raids. How many members of the opposition and civil society have been included for membership?
Committee or not,the deportations & denied entry conditions set by the new policy will continue.I think the rest of Caricom gets the idea of where Barbados citizens stand on this issue.I have also realized the more people who attack the policy the more entrenched & adamant Barbados citizens become in their resolve to ensure that the policy is implemented due to questioning the rationale behind the constant attacks.
I find it bizarre that other countries appear to be doing the same yet do not get the same amount of coverage whether it be places like Antigua or Trinidad.
In the Caribbean there has always been a “hate Barbados” current and our new immigration policy has given people the opportunity to voice their true feelings. Stories about immigrants being deported from Antigua and Trinidad do not garner the same number of comments as stories about Barbados. SN usually buries those stories on the lower half of the page while those about Barbados are very prominent. Nothing the rest of the Caribbean says or does will change our Government’s resolve to do what is best for Barbadians and Barbados.For too many years Barbados has been the stepping stone for immigrants from all over the world who have no loyalty to anyone but themselves.These immigrants, illegal or legal, enjoy its many benefits and opportunities to work, be educated, acquire property and gain access to the US, Canada and England while stating publicly that they hate Barbados and Bajans. Our Government and people have said enough is enough.
Heaven ,and there are those in high placed who are living off the fat of what little land we have,yet still feel it necessary to say the worst things about Barbados. People like those, should be tomadams out of this country.
I fully agree with you, Jay and its people like Quibian who are making the hearts of Bajans like that of Pharoah.
Here we go again! More fodder for BORAPORK and his fellow overseas bloggers.This is not news. This information was made public weeks ago. No wonder that Reddy Barbados is constantly accusing this news paper of milking , milking, milking.
Why all the fuss? Barbadians should move buy up lands and plant their flag in that territory with 9 to the sq mile. Put pressure on their social service to bring it up to civilized standards!
too late barbados! your name already gone over the falls. it not the deportations that make other carribbean countries hate you it is the arrogance and the way you do it. word coming out of barbados is that immigration officials are getting quite rich by seizing the assets of the depoortees.
Quibian, you said, “too late barbados! your name already gone over the falls. it not the deportations that make other carribbean countries hate you it is the arrogance and the way you do it.” You obviously don’t know anything about Barbados, Quibian. Over the years, Bajans, through education, hard work, good behavior, and generosity have developed Barbados into what is essentially a brand. The Barbados brand is synonymous with quality, stability, and security. People know when they go to Barbados they are going to experience a good quality of life, if they are law abiding. Guyanese, on the other hand, have developed a very poor reputation. The people who you want to boycott Barbados think less of you than they think of Bajans. You can’t ruin our name. You all are further damaging your own reputation by appearing to be vindictive towards people who took in some of you and offered you opportunities that your own government appears to not be going out of its way to create for you.