HEALTH DRAIN

Illegal immigrants now a burden, says minister

by WADE GIBBONS

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS in Barbados have started to affect the country's social services adversely and Government cannot ignore that situation.

Minister of Health Donville Inniss disclosed that public health facilities were under mounting pressure as a result of having to deal with the high number of undocumented immigrants.

However, he told the DAILY NATION that Government would not change its policy of not seeking to know people's immigrant status before providing them with health care.

"But the reality is that it is a necessary expectation that any large increase with respect to inward migration would place pressure on our hospital, our polyclinics and all our health care facilities," he said.

Inniss said Barbados' small size and limited resources militated against having open borders to everybody.

He added the granting of an amnesty was something Government was not under an obligation to do, and people had to comply with the law.

"I find it very strange that the individuals who are calling for us to allow people who are illegal to remain in Barbados are the same ones who would criticise ZR drivers for reckless behaviour and breaking the law; criticise young people for their behaviour and breaking the law.

"Every country has laws that must be respected, and the reaction of these people is that they are condoning illegal activity," he said.

Inniss dismissed complaints that authorities were "rounding up" illegal immigrants.

"If you are living in a country illegally and it is the determination of the immigration office that you are to be deported, what are we to do? Give you a phone call and tell you that we are coming for you next Thursday at 2 a.m.? You do not make an appointment with an individual to deport them," Inniss explained.

He said he did not hear anyone complain when Barbadians were deported from the United States, Britain or Canada after being there illegally or committing other crimes. He added that in many of those cases Barbadians were given their belongings in a plastic bag and sent on their way.

"Our approach has been far more humane. There is not an ounce of inhumanity in what we are doing, and Barbadians who share these views need to get up and speak up about it. It is a vocal minority criticising this policy and it is their right to criticise," he stated.

He also had advice for regional leaders criticising Barbados' immigration policy.

"What other Caribbean leaders should do is mind their own business in respect of this matter. They should do like Barbados and fix their economies and get them to the point where their citizens do not feel the need to run away," he said.