Mr. Mitchell is not serious about intelligently and responsibly dealing with our illegal immigration problem. He is serious about duping the Bahamian public! If he wants to fix this problem he would find the funds to repatriate and empty a detention centre that is already suffering from massive overcrowding, where alleged human rights abuses have been taking place. Instead for weeks he has sending out press releases about an exercise in Abaco. It is merely a photo op, and political lip service duping a desperate Bahamas for real results. We deserve so much better. Repatriate those we have already detained, speed up the regularization of those worthy of it, then do the exercise in Abaco.

Mr. Smith should keep talking. He is only hurting his credibility among non Haitian, and rational thinking, Bahamians. The immigration department should proceed with whatever plans are in place even if it adds to the backlog, and to the number of detainees at the center. We have suspended plans for decades and now that has caught up with us. But this is clearly what Mr. Smith wants as it buys him more time to build his party, and become the eventual leader of the new Haiti, his plans for the Bahamas. His request should not be considered because it is not in the best interest of the country.

Also, how does he know that the NY Times reporter was not given the time of day? Or did he make this up? Nowhere did she say her attempts at reaching the department were ignored, but miraculously she was able to reach them on a Sunday, and partially retract her article. More likely, she reached out after the fact. Also, the OAS already had their conclusions based on prior reports. Anything the government had to add would not have made any difference. All the government can do is make improvements based on what they deem vital, and affordable for our developing nation. And clearly the government was already in process of doing that, kids were not at the facility for months prior to the report. And publicly, the department disputed the pregnant woman's claims. The fact that these were still included in the report, says a lot about this organization.

Do not worry, no illegals will be caught in the Abaco exercise. They know when and where immigration will conduct the exercise and are ready. Smoke and mirrors, it sounds good but in reality is just bravado to fake out Bahamians that are gullible.

Asiseeit - I sometimes feel the same way...but I am daring to dream until it becomes clear. I don't understand the publicized warnings, but I will wait and see what comes of it.

Speak, if you want to dream, how about dreaming that we have some REAL leadership in this country that works for ALL Bahamians. Lets start with that and maybe weeding out the corrupt Bahamians out there. I know that we may not have any Bahamians left if we get rid of the corrupt but as you say, dare to dream.

I also dream of weeding out corruption, and real leadership. However, I am hopeful that this is the start of it, that results in a domino effect within other ministries. If this department can act on the will of the people and not self serving interests...it's a start ! It gives me hope. Meanwhile, I will continue to dream of a Bahamian government that is pro-Bahamian.

Now there are few things left unaddressed which shows that immigration reform appears to be a very personal issue rather than a national one for Mr.Smith. First, the immigration department under the FNM carried out raids. Where was your voice then? Second, how could a man appointed QC in this country want to tear it down and actively threaten international pressure? It seems to be that a QC in this country should want to keep fighting for his cause but would do nothing to impune or damage the image of this country. Third, why do you behave as if it is just Mr. Mitchell you are having some personal war with? Many Bahamians are fed up with illegal immigration, even the official opposition have not seen these so called abuses of which you speak. So why are you the only person receiving these reports? I'm just tired of hearing the nonsense and being made to feel as if we are wrong for enforcing immigration laws. You speak of Haitian rights but I've not heard you once defend the Bahamas against false allegations. Its one thing to say the government is doing something wrong but you never seem to want to set the record straight. It is always this constant threat of trying to internationally embarrass the country. Never any concern for who you say are your own people. The New York Times or any other international report can say anything and you have not objective critique. You stay silent, not willing to admit that these reports are not entirely accurate. With such disdain for the Bahamian people and government why are you even a QC? You surely appear to represent the interests of others rather than the best interests of this country.

Well said!

DonAnthony is correct when he says that If Fred wants to fix this problem he would find the funds to repatriate and empty a detention centre that is already suffering from massive overcrowding. The nagging question I have about this whole dilemma is why isn't this exercise being supported by the entire government? Why does it seem as if Fred is a lone voice in the wilderness on this one? Why is the opposition so quiet when outside organizations have been attaching the Bahamas' character? Could it be that the FNM won't say anything because in a way they are glad to see the crap that has been going on and they really feel that by being silent it increases their chances of being popular with the Haitian society?

This is why I have always commented Bran for what he did when he was junior minister in charge of immigration. Many people don't know this, but he literally fired or moved a lot of crooked immigration officials. In addition, he was prepared to tackle this Pigeon Plum slum community and all the other Haitians slums in the Bahamas. But Symonette and Ingraham had a lot to do with stopping him. it goes to show that one minister cannot alleviate this immigration problem alone. We need all right-thinking Bahamians onboard, including PLPs, FNMs and DNAs. Don't forget that together we can tackle any problem. But when we are divided nothing is accomplished.

In the spirit of negotiations, how about he tell Haitians to abandon their illegal trek to The Bahamas so that we can deal with the backlog?

Not to belittle the point, it is still dumb to send Haitians back home today when they will be back tomorrow. A strong Defence Force presence around Inagua and a few paid informants in Northern Haiti will go a long way to alleviate the problem. Patch the hole before you add more water.

Has Fred Smith ever appealed to the illegal immigrants in the Bahamas to return to their home Country, why are they waiting to be picked up by immigration and then complain. about every thing under the sun. Mr. Smith seems to be encouraging the illegals to break the laws of the Bahamas.

Now we know he has plans to start a Haitian political party, The next thing we may hear from him is he wants to start a Haitian Army in the Bahamas.

**................................................... Don't Suspend ANYTHING ..............................................**

Get the illegal Haitians out before we have MORE Fred Smiths being a pain in the ass.

**................................................ We Will NEVER Forget ..................................................**

More importantly, Fred Smith obviously agreed with his Haitian brethren show of conquest of the Bahamas as they dragged the Bahamian flag behind their cars while flying the Haitian flag during Haitian day for years!

1000's of intentionally placed paper Haitian Bahamians minded like this Fred Smith clown for decades have systematically compromised Bahamas civil service, immigration, police, customs, education and health care systems specifically with the intent of facilitating illegal Haitians.

To protect our country for future generations of Bahamians from the likes of the Fred Smiths, coming Chinese invasion and WTO, we must **DEMAND OUR RIGHT TO CHANGE** the Constitution to adapt Bermudas' citizenship laws which prevents "paper citizens" from voting or ever running for political office.

If we do not......We will quickly become outnumbered by foreign groups who will eventually form their own political parties under the present constitution and vote Bahamians out of governance of our own country.......Just as Fred Smith is now advocating.

**This is no joke.........Review Bermudas' citizen law link below....and DEMAND CHANGE!**

http://www.bermuda-online.org/citizensh…

This is a national emergency.People are taking this too lightly.If you look at how they are on the radio spreading their agenda somehow it is slowly making Bahamians to start thinking in their direction.What they want to do is get sympathy then when they get their claws into the government system then this is when they will begin to do away with immigration laws and flood this country with illegal immigrants.Wake up Bahamas we have to start protecting what little identity that we have.This is serious business.

This guy is an idiot!