I know this is an opinion piece but the assertions, generalizations and stereotypes about Bahamians are disgusting. If a similar piece was written about Haitians using anecdotal sources, imagine the uproar? Talking about the negative effects of illegals: shanty towns, high birth rate of children into poverty and without status, having children for status, the extra burden placed on limited resources and links to crimes such as drug, arms and human trafficking....are off limits because it contradicts the ignorant claims that Bahamians are xenophobic. Bahamians are reacting no differently than people of other countries facing mass inflix of illegals. Please stop the hypocrisy of fighting for one group while constantly chiding and demeaning another.

I am just calling out your hypocrisy, and Jamaica as an example to follow. Being Bahamian is no more a super identity than being Jamaican. But that didn't stop you from suggesting the Bahamas follow Jamaica's lead on human rights...which is laughable. Jamaica as a cautionary tale, is more honest.

How many deaths of Haitians of any illegals by the hands of Bahamians in order to achieve a "pure" race have you heard to support your ridiculous comment? The Bahamas has never settled its internal issues through violence...this is something Jamicans can learn from us. You don't treat deportees, or lgbt people as your equals, and they are in constant fear for their lives...this is a fact. And it's only been a few years since you stopped your annual riots in the streets. Or is that still going on? Fix Jamaicas discriminatory issues and human rights violations first, then maybe you'll be in a position to be condescending.

Agreed. The way "criminal" deportees and the lgbt community are treated in Jamaica is pretty close to ethnic cleansing. shameful.

Why? I obey the law for a reason.

@TalRussell Since the detention center is illegal, perhaps they should be subjected to the much harsher, more inhumane conditions of Fox Hill and live among hardened criminals as they wait months, like incarcerated Bahamians, to be charged?

The detention center was obviously created to separate these "victimless" criminals (aka economic refugees) from others, maintain some dignity for them and provide expedited reparation rather than a long drawn out process with the same outcome. Since it's failing on those counts, it seems like fox hill would be the only alternative. Maybe then, some concern would be shown for the other prisoners as well.

What may have started out as people surrounding themselves with others who speak the same language and shared culture spiraled into generations insulating themselves from Bahamian society. Their kids are raised this way, and are Haitian in every regard except when it's beneficial. They make the choice not to integrate and this what keeps them Haitian in the Bahamas (even with legal status).

@Jamaicaproud, i have no obsession about illegals. I'm commenting on a topical issue, same as you. Your comments on the backwardness of Bahamas vs. Jamaica said a lot about your grasp on reality. And your unrealistic view of Jamaica as a country that should be emulated. I never argued about the entitlement of citizenship with you. However, Jamaica is one of the few countries in the West that provides automatic citizenship. Having a massive population that outpaces resources and opportunities is not the direction I want the Bahamas to pursue. We only have to look at countries like Jamaica and Haiti to know that this is why people flee.

@sheeprunner12 If that's your takeaway from his/her condescending comments, I cannot argue with your interpretation. I disagree with his/her assessment of Jamaica as a utopian paradise we should emulate, and I pointed out their shortcomings as he/she did for Bahamas. I don't live under a rock, so I am not unaware of the reality of Jamaica. Nowhere is perfect.

I am not discounting the contributions of legal migrants...my comment said as much when I highlighted the differences. Are you saying illegals contribute as much? That's debatable, because all signs point to them benefitting far more than they give or provide in savings to the wealthy and well off few. I look forward to the day when the Bahamas has the infrastructure or development plans, to support and attract educated, progressive individuals.

@John I don't agree that we scorn Haitians. There are too many generational Bahamian families of Haitian descent that are considered Bahamian in every way, by everyone. Even their surnames are now considered Bahamian.

The difference between them and the Haitians of today are they contributed and did not set up illegal camps to insulate themselves from Bahamian society while expecting to use every "free" resource available. Not to mention their numbers are to a point that the Bahamas cannot sustain. IF they are scorned...this is why.