You are being disingenuous when you pretend that Haitians make an effort to integrate into the Bahamian society. Even with the advancements that Fred Smith has made within Bahamian society as a Haitian of birth, he still has a one track mind.The fact that he is talking about forming a Haitian Bahamian party rather than calling for inclusion speaks volumes. The Bahamas must change its political framework to accommodate interest based parties? Fred Smith is being disingenuous. He knows his comment is divisive and that it feeds the us versus them mentality that exists on both sides of this issue.

It sounds like you are talking about caucuses. These people did not campaign or get elected based on race or gender. At least not officially. They join specific coalitions after the fact in order to pursue common goals. The president of the US reminded black Americans several times that he is the president of the entre US and not just black America. Elected officials must represent everyone in their constituencies equally. To form a political party that is focused on the issues of a single population, as the term and Smith's comments assert, is not progress. It is a huge step back.

Bahamians should be fearful of a political party that includes Fred Smith or one that is supported by him. Bahamians of Haitian descent are free right now to participate in the political process, to represent their constituecies if elected, and at the same time advocate for the changes they seek. Forming a Bahamian party to address the economy, crime, education, immigration, etc., which impact everyone, should be good enough. These are topics that can potentially unite people of all backgrounds.

There is nothing wrong with legal immigrants of Haitian descent running for office. If they are anything like Fred Smith and Jetta Baptiste, then this is a problem. Politicians should have a sense of patriotism and aspire to see the country succeed, or at least appear believable, if they are to be trusted with public office. "Haitian Bahamians" who have no use for this country other than bending to the wants of the illegal Haitian community is not what this country needs.

I believe a recent story in the Tribune reported that they were having trouble filling middle management positions with Bahamians? I found that difficult to believe. These companies should have programs in place that will place lower level employees on track to earning middle management positions. Bringing up the D average again is unnecessary and it makes it seem like they have an agenda. I am not defending bad grades, but we all have our strengths and weaknesses. Learning on the job is quite different from sitting in a classroom and being subject to any number of variables that could negatively impact the learning process.

These articles featuring current and former politicians would be so much more substantive if they provided suggestions instead of commentary that always seem to point to doing nothing. Scores of undocumented people in the country is already a threat to national security. With schools churning out barely literate graduates, we can only pretend that the uneducated underclass does not already exist. While sitting in parliament, making hard decisions, clearly successive governments made a lot of wrong decisions on this issue or none at all. It seems the current government is aware of its international and national commitments and is making an effort to strike the right balance. Other than that, what should and needs to be done is very simple. Why even have borders, laws and rights for citizens within said border if it so easily undermined, and if the protection of those rights are secondary to those of illegal immigrants?

Children don't register themselves for school. This policy is going after the parents and it's still in place. I didn't read anywhere about it not being carried out. In any situation where the illegal parent is caught whether it's chilling in a shanty town, on the job with no work permit, and now failure to properly register their kids, the child will be deported with them when all is said and done. Illegal Haitian enablers always use the kids as a shield against deportation. It is a smart move on the part of the government to meet them where they are and at least get them on record.

There certainly is a reward for many Haitians - light at the end of the tunnel for the many eligible Haitians without documents. As Mitchell pointed out in this article, there were no contradictions. He said from the beginning that it would be up to the MOE whether the children are allowed to attend school or not, and the goal was to remain compliant with the constitution and international law. The Minister of Education and the PM confirmed that no children will be denied access to an education in accordance with international regulations. This should silence the people who live in fear of a society of illiterates. The Bahamas needs to think properly about jumping on the bandwagon with regard international treaties. If these treaties can essentially tie the hands of a sovereign country from acting in its own best interests, that is a problem and I am sure not the intent of such agreements. This country has to be able to think and react in real time to this ongoing crisis and I support any effort to do so.

Wow, you self proclaimed "champions of the children" really want this initiative to fail just for the sake of failing. Documenting people is the whole crux of this policy, and it still appears that will get done. I believe Pratt is speaking prematurely regarding working with illegals who have been here a long time. We have no clue what he means by documentary evidence, but the only documents that need to be considered in these cases are official documents. I believe enough will be regularized through verifiable means that he will have to eat those words.

Your link supports that efforts are being made to patrol the seas more effectively, not why boats are continually docked. Yet, this is not the only possible solution that should or can be put in place. Again, I support the country's efforts to reign in the illegal chaos that is taking place on land.