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'Good response' to Govt's amnesty
Published on: 11/10/2009.
by TRACY MOORE
THERE HAS been a "good response" to Government's amnesty regarding illegal immigrants.
Senator Arni Walters, Minister responsible for Labour and Immigration, made the comments on Sunday at the Democratic Labour Party's (DLP) St Michael joint meeting at Springer Memorial School.
He added that there was a Green Paper in the pipeline where the public would be able to comment on it, from as early as next month.
"There are a number of issues regarding CARICOM nations. The amnesty ends December 1. There has been a good response to this amnesty. Those applying for the amnesty who were here before 1998 will get a favourabe response. I have seen a number of them on my desk.
"There is also a number of skilled labour applications that will not have a difficulty with what the CSME [CARICOM Single Market and Economy] status will allow," he said.
He did not give numbers though on who had applied for the amnesty to date, but urged Barbadians to seek out and comment on the Green Paper which would be available from late December to early January.
In May, Prime Minster David Thompson announced an amnesty for thousands of undocumented CARICOM nationals in Barbados. He said, however, they must meet certain qualifying standards to regularise their immigration status, among them proof of employment, passing of background security checks, and substantiating a claim that they lived in Barbados for at least eight years prior to December 31, 2005.
Then three months ago, Thompson stated there was a backlog of up to 6 000 Caribbean nationals seeking immigrant status in Barbados.
He explained that Barbados had no choice but to regulate its immigration policy since the social services simply could not cope with a flood of immigrants.
l tracymoore@ nationnews.com
19 comment found!
he did not give numbers : 11/11/2009
They can't even tell us how many people would become legal, even the USA gives numbers on immigration, but I guess adding even 6000 people to a country with no natural resources and a not so diverse economy also doesn't make sense even to the Barbados government. To all you fools who are still comparing Barbados to the USA, I assume IQ and shoe size being close could never be a good thing. I will come home as soon as someone can find me an IT job paying over 50,000 US a year. We are one big family? Guyanese can't even get along in their own country, If I hated white people I would move from the USA not to the USA.
Sylvester Forde is one sick guy! : 11/10/2009
After reading such appalling comments from Sylvester Forde, I decided to Goggle all of his/her comments on this and others blogs. Not to my surprise he's a 30 yr old,Marxist,single,living with his mother,in need of companionship,aspiring journalism or the legal profession as career, Sylvester is his real name, (this is not a joke) and a christian all at the same time...The only thing missing from his resume is car salesman......With a profile like this, give him a break. The psychiatric hospital is his next challenge............
Sylveter Forde is a moron : 11/10/2009
Sylvester Forde you are a moron, racist and I am ashamed that we were born on the same piece of land. Your reference to Hitler was inexcusable and unforgivable. I wonder if you put any thought into your comments before you wrote them. I am happy to see that many fellow Bajans have condemned your comments. Barbados has no room for bigots like you, Sylvester Forde, please lease our beautiful island.
AMNESTY : 11/10/2009
I disagree with Mr.Forde's comments, but it must be said that he represents the views of many Bajans (excluding the rubbish Hitler remarks). The reason why Bajans are reluctant to speak out in public forums about this issue is because they wish to appear as politically correct. They don't want to come across as racist. Bajans are probably the most xenophobic of all the Caribbean's peoples. In private, one hears utterances about "foreigners tekking ovuh we cuntry." On fellow who is well-educated and has a high position in our country, has opined on numerous occasions that all the heads of any organization in Barbados should be a born Bajan. For him, not even a naturalized Barbadian citizen should hold any position of power and authority. When I pointed out to him that there are Bajan immigrants living in North America and Europe who hold important positions in those countries, his response was that there are bigger and therefore able to absorb far more immigrants than little B'dos. The bottom line for me is that Barbados, which is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, is bursting at the proverbial seams. Our infrastructure is stretched to the limit. We simply cannot afford to absorb any more people, irrespective of their country of origin.
Amnesty : 11/10/2009
Sylvester Ford, you are tied and boring. Go find a hobby.
GOOD : 11/10/2009
i am happy about what the prime minister has done for those non-national who are seeking immmigrant status here.we must remember that the last government have all this so mess up,all you use to get is extension and you are here for ten to twelve year and just getting extension.thank you mr prime minister job well done.
Amnesty : 11/10/2009
To Sylvester Ford: Barbados for Barbadian, then the USA, Canada, UK, and other countries around the world where Barbadians have lived and settled for years can adopt this policy. Send us all back! That should make your day. I pity you fool!!
Ever so welcome , wait for a call ! : 11/10/2009
Constitutionally, I have the RIGHT to WRITE TO DEFEND MY COUNTRY AGAINST ILLITERACY and INVASION ! If u don't like that, don't the the IMMIGRATION DOOR hit u on ur way back out ! This is BARBADOS NOT GEORGETOWN ! Go home to ur 83,000 sq miles AND TAKE YOUR LOOKA LIKES WITH U, PLEASE !
"Immigration" : 11/10/2009
GooDay all ye Bajans my mame is Ossie Moore en I gine tell yuh. Wid all these immagrunts or in utta words "grunts"running bout de place it wooda look good ifing some o duh did go up dey in St.Joseph en help de old Bajan planters and farmers get rid o de African Giant snails. Bro looka why dem sort o things does got to come from Africa I would realy like to know.
Govt's amnesty : 11/10/2009
Bloggers like Mr. Forde need to respond to the article before him. Mr. Forde my advice to you please read what you write to see if it makes sense. After reading your blog it went blah! blah! blah! blah! I can see what would've happened if you had anything to do with immigration. All immigrants would be put in a slow boat and be shipped back to their respective countries. Your statement is so racist and stereotypical of you it is unbelievable, "Let Barbados be for Barbadians." Mr. Forde get your head out of the sand and try living outside the box and see how beautiful and enriched societies become when different cultures cohabitate. Jersey Girl. 11/09/2009
: 11/10/2009
Sylvester Forde...you are a bit harsh but to be honest a country 21 x 14 can only accommodate a certain amount of people. We are NOT the USA !!!
83000 sqm : 11/10/2009
Sylvester forde Your comment is nonsence. I agree with B/DIAN comments to You ."Shut Up" We are all caribbean/south American people.You never tol WICB not to pick them as players. Again SHUT UP Ron/Toronto
No need for this, Mr. Forde : 11/10/2009
Irresponsible statements, such as those uttered by Mr. Forde, do nothing to advance constructive dialogue on matters of such crital importance. It would behoove him to be silent if he is only capable of spouting this type of incendiary rhetoric. There are protocols in place to handle these issues,and there is really no need for your percieved hatred of these individuals.
Good response' to Govt's amnesty : 11/10/2009
they need to send these people back where they belong. crime in barbados is growing because if these illegals. I agree barbados is for bajans not indians
: 11/10/2009
Mr. Forde, you are very biased and selfish. World wide people are leaving their homelands and migrating for better standard of living and many other reasons. And worldwide includes Barbadians. I can say (based on what you mentioned) that Barbadians should be in Barbados and not in the US, Canada, England or any other country for that matter.
Re: Sylvester Forde : 11/10/2009
I am sure your parents, grandparents, etal, did not remember this when they were running to Guyana in droves, during the 60s. But don't worry, this world revolves. You and your people will have a chance to prove to employers in Barbados that you are worth employing. Hope that you learn some good work ethics.
: 11/10/2009
Sylvester Forde why don't you just shut the hell up. What have you got against other c/bean citizens?
83,000 sq ml and them running from it ! : : 11/10/2009
Sylvester Forde yours is a very narrow view point. Toquote you: "If Africa for Africans, then let Barbados be for Barbadians ! Send them back to contribute to their country." What if all other countries adopted this attitude, do you know how many Barbadians are living all over the world? Would Barbados have room for all of them? I am sure that they are many Barbadians incarcerated in various parts of the world, would you like them back here too? My good man, we should not let our emotions run away with us; I think that your reference to Hitler is very unfortunate and is in very bad taste. No Barbadian, black or white, should wish to associate in any way with Hitler or any of his ideas. I used to like you when you were on radio and TV, what's the matter with you son?
83,000 sq ml and them running from it ! : 11/10/2009
Cut out the long talk and get these South Americans right back where they belong !If Africa for Africans, then let Barbados be for Barbadians ! Send them back to contribute to their country. Cut the long tslk man ! If Hitler was alive you wouldn't got time for all that long talk 1
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