BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard said that if elected, his administration would hold a constitutional referendum on granting citizenship to people born in The Bahamas to non-Bahamian parents.

He said the country must send a clear message of zero tolerance to those entering the country illegally and later being granted citizenship or status to live and work here.

“No migrant, no one should be able to come in illegally and enjoy the full benefits of the society,” he said during an appearance on Guardian Radio’s Morning Blend with host Dwight Strachan yesterday.

His pledge is the latest in a series of sweeping reforms promised by an FNM-led government amid ongoing criticism of the Davis administration’s handling of immigration.

Mr Pintard has repeatedly accused the government of overseeing a politicised and corrupt immigration system.

When asked about Article 7 of the Constitution — which states that people born in The Bahamas after independence to non-Bahamian parents may apply for citizenship only after turning 18 and within a one-year window — Mr Pintard insisted it must be changed, whether through legislation, policy amendments, or a referendum.

“Yes, we have been clear on that,” he said. “If you come to The Bahamas illegally, there is no path for you to citizenship. We are prepared, once we have taken required advice on how that law will be evaluated and how it needs to be tweaked, we are prepared to do so.”

He added that an FNM government would not hesitate to hold a referendum if that proved the only way to address the matter.

“Yes, I would be prepared to hold a referendum – you can hold me to it,” he said.

The opposition leader also vowed to appoint a Select Committee on immigration within 30 days of taking office, tasked with uncovering corruption, protecting whistle-blowers, and involving civil society in exposing abuses.

He said concerns about work permit irregularities and undocumented applications from within detention persist.

He claimed — without presenting evidence — that the FNM had uncovered documents showing one person, previously caught in The Bahamas illegally, was repatriated, placed on the stop list, returned to the country, had a hearing, and was considered for a work permit.

In another case, he said a person in custody at the Detention Centre had their application processed despite being detained for unlawful entry.

“In the first 30 days of being elected as Prime Minister, I will put in place a Select Committee that also has in it provisions for protection for people who are in immigration who know some of the things that are going on and are prepared to talk with some protection.”

Mr Pintard further noted that some people who have lived in The Bahamas for decades with legitimate claims to legal status are still waiting to be processed, while new arrivals under questionable circumstances are approved quickly.

He said biometric technology, conceived and supported by the FNM, could help address immigration issues, but accused the government of failing to use it effectively at airports and harbours.

He believes it could verify arrivals, ensure visas are valid, alert authorities to overstays, and track offenders’ locations.