There is quite a difference and I am sure that you are already aware of this. The now Euro-Bahamians brought the now Afro-Bahamians over with the intent of being outnumbered in order to staff their plantations most effectively, and of course cheaply. And clearly not much has changed. This worked splendidly in a time when black people had to work for free and make do with whatever scraps "Massa" was willing to provide. We now live in a climate where people are expected to provide for themselves and maintain a certain standard of living that is somewhere well above existing in Shanty town dwellings like the slaves had to. You say relax, but tell me, with the current high rate of unemployment and poverty, plus the high rates of unskilled Bahamians and Haitians in one space, where are the jobs and services to maintain all? Or should we resort to the days of slavery or something like that?

I agree. Society is content with seeing black people compete for scraps, including black people. Due to generations of conditioning, too many black people believe that you are not living life if you are not struggling against some insurmountable force. Many Haitians in the Bahamas have had more than enough opportunity to get documented. Instead, they fight the never ending fight in Haiti by sending proceeds there or they justify their ongoing illegal lifestyles by turning turning Bahamians into villains.

The fact that high profile spokespersons for the big girl movement (Star Jones, Monique, Gabourey Sidibe) all got gastric bypass for health and aesthetic reasons, is very telling. Fat is not healthy or attractive no matter how much we try to convince ourselves otherwise.

I agree with helping the Dominicans because they need help and it is being done the right way. I am surprised that Minnis took the time out to acknowledge dissenters because it is natural for people to have questions and for some to disagree. This is also not uniquely Bahamian. In the article I posted below, Dominicans commenting also had questions and concerns about a donation to the Bahamas last year.

http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/home…

I agree with helping the Dominicans because they need help and it is being done the right way. I am surprised that Minnis took the time out to acknowledge dissenters because it is natural for people to have questions and for some to disagree. This is also not uniquely Bahamian. In the article I posted below, Dominicans commenting also had questions and concerns that ran the gamet.

http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/home…

Alot of black politicians are out of touch as well and they also make it abundantly clear. It was really condescending of Jeff Lloyd to essentially tell people to completely disregard their observations and perceptions and just grow up.

I am also surprised. They say only black people play the race card. Brent Symonette comes across as out of touch with the masses because of his very own statements and actions. When he re-emerged to the front to "speak out" on behalf of illegal immigrant children, he let it be known that his circle was not pleased with the new process. That alone is an elitist term. When he got into office, among his first reported activities was to sign off on a box of work permits for low level jobs. I am sure it is not the underpaid and unemployed masses that requested and paid for those work permits. He admitted bypassing an established process to get this done. And even with his latest action, not a word to concerned Bahamians about what alternative actions will be taken to crack down on illegal immigration. The only time he addresses illegal migration is to say what can't be done or to take executive action. These are just a few recent examples.

The majority of people complaining about the children and refugees from Dominica are those of Haitian descent and supporters of illegal immigration. Their argument is that children that were born and raised here are being denied an education and yet the government is taking on others.

I don't know if I believe that, since record keeping in the Bahamas sucks in general. Generally speaking I agree that the government's soft approach makes them complicit in the illegal migration issues of today.

Ever since Trump came in office, more Haitians have been fleeing to Canada including those that were already in the US. I have seen several articles since then that states that Canadian officials are concerned about this trend. Ultimately how Canada responds is up to them, but clearly they are better equipped to handle illegal migrants. I don't disagree with your point that the government needs to first take care of its lowest citizens, with citizens being the operative word. I believe at last count more than 1/3rd of Bahamians were said to live below the poverty line. I am being a realist, not an emotionalist which seems to be the justification for assuming responsibility for more than we can afford. Not since my days of reading the Bible have I heard of feeding 5,000 with five loaves of bread and other such miracles. Also many of the people parading around as altruistic, encourage illegal immigration for their own motives. Hence, I don't buy the altruistic act from people who seem to believe this approach applies only to illegal immigrants when they seem incapable of empathy in any other situation.

One of the things that this policy could achieve is to provide data to help us understand the degree of the problem. But while many of you say this is not the way to go, not many of you provide alternatives for collecting such data. Not even government ministers for crying out loud, although they are quick to join the chorus of critics. I don't know how the country is expected to determine a way forward without actual data and statistics. I guess the Minister of Immigration will fix the problem by signing off on boxes of citizenship applications.