The law does not have to specifically address the consequences of living undocumented and therefore, illegally in a country that does not offer birthright status. This excerpt from a letter to the editor of the Nassau Guardian makes this point very clear for those who intentionally misinterpret the law.
"Example 1: A restaurant sign indicates that its dinner service is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Therefore, if a patron comes at 5 p.m. or 10:30 p.m., they will not be served, because the restaurant is not open for service. In this case the restaurant clearly indicated its dinner service hours, and patrons coming outside of that time cannot reasonably expect to be served. Note that the sign did not indicate that dinner is not served at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. or 11 p.m. (non-permissible); it stated the times that dinner is served (permissible). Therefore, customers understand that if they want to eat dinner at that restaurant, they must come between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. It was not necessary for the restaurant to indicate the non-dinner hours because the customers clearly understood what the dinner service hours were. This is efficient, complete (no gap) and there is absolutely no ambiguity."
Some of you are playing dense because you want the courts to uphold what is unconstitional.
@Deddie, your word play is cute but the terms "unlawful entry", or "overstaying" do apply to this man. His "landing" date was his birthday. From that day until he applied he had his parent(s) illegal status and would have been deported as a minor. He overstayed the day he turned 19, without a pending application.
@Coolhead, How stupid and entitled is it to believe that special considerations should be given to Haitian applicants? The same rules apply to all children of foreign parents, not just Haitians. There is no reason for the chaos in Haiti to dictate Bahamian laws. This man according to his sister, chose not to apply.
@Iris, you sound very confused. The law requires every child in the Bahamas to be registered at a certain age. How else do we confirm who has that entitlement and who doesn't? At 18, he should have "taken steps" by applying for his citizenship, he did not. The law doesn't explicitily say deport them, but it does not confer automatic legal status of any kind. Therefore, if they are not legal, they are illegal and deportable.
In the Bahamas, it seems we ignore laws in favor of the "right" or "moral" thing to do. Maybe some human rights lawyer needs to plead the case of this abandoned minor so that laws can be ignored and he can be placed with a good family instead of rat infested PMH.
Don't make villains of people who want to ensure the Bahamas is secured for future generations of Bahamians. This includes persons of mixed national heritage as it always has. I find claims of xenophobia to be disingenuous and convenient excuse by people who could care less. The Bahamas is and should not be an extension of Haiti as the growing populace of Haitians are turning it into.
Mr. Bethel, like his colleagues is also promoting that these individuals have certain rights, provided they can prove who they were born in the Bahamas: what are those? If birthright status or citizenship is not included in the law, it's very clear that they have no status, i.e. illegal. Fix the law to reflect the FNMs position, but until then stop promoting entitlement among Bahamas born Haitians.
Beyond the employers who enjoy the benefits of cheap labor...how are they are saving poor Bahamians money? Are you making the assumption that savings are passed down to the consumer and not spent in Miami?
Can you say how many Haitian children are in the public schools? How many have given birth and utilized health services annually? How many have avoided paying property taxes because they are renting from a slumlord or squatting? Annual repatriation costs? How much of VAT is avoided in favor of their unlicensed local shanty town stores and businesses? How much money is sent out of the country annually?
The strain illegals place on the limited resources of the country is seen and felt much more than any benefit they provide. So, on the face of it, despite your degree, you cannot say illegals are benefitting the country.
Because it was really meant for legal immigrants. This would allow adults, not minors, to decide on their citizenship and renounce their other passport. It's the same for dual citizens. You can be a dual citizen as a minor, but you're supposed to rescind on or the other within the same window (I believe).
It's great that he acknowledged this..now they need to fix it in one direction or another. Sitting on the fence having Bahamians think one thing, and continually reenforcing something else to the Haitian community is intentional and shady. It's not a good look for any governement.
My2centz says...
If the unofficial numbers floating around is somewhat accurate, Bahama Pundit is more realistic than you.
On ‘Pay $3,000 and you can go free’ – Bishop Hall makes Immigration ‘corruption’ claim
Posted 27 February 2018, 8:48 a.m. Suggest removal
My2centz says...
The law does not have to specifically address the consequences of living undocumented and therefore, illegally in a country that does not offer birthright status. This excerpt from a letter to the editor of the Nassau Guardian makes this point very clear for those who intentionally misinterpret the law.
"Example 1: A restaurant sign indicates that its dinner service is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Therefore, if a patron comes at 5 p.m. or 10:30 p.m., they will not be served, because the restaurant is not open for service. In this case the restaurant clearly indicated its dinner service hours, and patrons coming outside of that time cannot reasonably expect to be served. Note that the sign did not indicate that dinner is not served at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. or 11 p.m. (non-permissible); it stated the times that dinner is served (permissible). Therefore, customers understand that if they want to eat dinner at that restaurant, they must come between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. It was not necessary for the restaurant to indicate the non-dinner hours because the customers clearly understood what the dinner service hours were. This is efficient, complete (no gap) and there is absolutely no ambiguity."
On Jean Rony ‘lost automatic right to citizenship'
Posted 21 February 2018, 12:31 p.m. Suggest removal
My2centz says...
Some of you are playing dense because you want the courts to uphold what is unconstitional.
@Deddie, your word play is cute but the terms "unlawful entry", or "overstaying" do apply to this man. His "landing" date was his birthday. From that day until he applied he had his parent(s) illegal status and would have been deported as a minor. He overstayed the day he turned 19, without a pending application.
@Coolhead, How stupid and entitled is it to believe that special considerations should be given to Haitian applicants? The same rules apply to all children of foreign parents, not just Haitians. There is no reason for the chaos in Haiti to dictate Bahamian laws. This man according to his sister, chose not to apply.
@Iris, you sound very confused. The law requires every child in the Bahamas to be registered at a certain age. How else do we confirm who has that entitlement and who doesn't? At 18, he should have "taken steps" by applying for his citizenship, he did not. The law doesn't explicitily say deport them, but it does not confer automatic legal status of any kind. Therefore, if they are not legal, they are illegal and deportable.
On Judge grants partial stay of his Jean Rony ruling
Posted 18 February 2018, 9:12 a.m. Suggest removal
My2centz says...
In the Bahamas, it seems we ignore laws in favor of the "right" or "moral" thing to do. Maybe some human rights lawyer needs to plead the case of this abandoned minor so that laws can be ignored and he can be placed with a good family instead of rat infested PMH.
On Adoption stall traps Arthur at PMH
Posted 15 February 2018, 8:50 p.m. Suggest removal
My2centz says...
Don't make villains of people who want to ensure the Bahamas is secured for future generations of Bahamians. This includes persons of mixed national heritage as it always has. I find claims of xenophobia to be disingenuous and convenient excuse by people who could care less. The Bahamas is and should not be an extension of Haiti as the growing populace of Haitians are turning it into.
On Immigration law must be changed
Posted 8 February 2018, 11:33 a.m. Suggest removal
My2centz says...
They also need to outline a process to thoroughly investigate fraudulent birth certificates over the past few decades. This didn't start and end in 2012 http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/jun…
http://www.tribune242.com/news/2014/oct…
On AG - Jean Rony case exposes ID loophole
Posted 7 February 2018, 11:43 a.m. Suggest removal
My2centz says...
Mr. Bethel, like his colleagues is also promoting that these individuals have certain rights, provided they can prove who they were born in the Bahamas: what are those?
If birthright status or citizenship is not included in the law, it's very clear that they have no status, i.e. illegal. Fix the law to reflect the FNMs position, but until then stop promoting entitlement among Bahamas born Haitians.
On AG - Jean Rony case exposes ID loophole
Posted 7 February 2018, 11:38 a.m. Suggest removal
My2centz says...
Beyond the employers who enjoy the benefits of cheap labor...how are they are saving poor Bahamians money? Are you making the assumption that savings are passed down to the consumer and not spent in Miami?
Can you say how many Haitian children are in the public schools? How many have given birth and utilized health services annually? How many have avoided paying property taxes because they are renting from a slumlord or squatting? Annual repatriation costs? How much of VAT is avoided in favor of their unlicensed local shanty town stores and businesses? How much money is sent out of the country annually?
The strain illegals place on the limited resources of the country is seen and felt much more than any benefit they provide. So, on the face of it, despite your degree, you cannot say illegals are benefitting the country.
On Jean Rony released from custody
Posted 6 February 2018, 2:45 p.m. Suggest removal
My2centz says...
Because it was really meant for legal immigrants. This would allow adults, not minors, to decide on their citizenship and renounce their other passport. It's the same for dual citizens. You can be a dual citizen as a minor, but you're supposed to rescind on or the other within the same window (I believe).
On Free at last
Posted 6 February 2018, 2:03 p.m. Suggest removal
My2centz says...
It's great that he acknowledged this..now they need to fix it in one direction or another. Sitting on the fence having Bahamians think one thing, and continually reenforcing something else to the Haitian community is intentional and shady. It's not a good look for any governement.
On Free at last
Posted 6 February 2018, 1:22 p.m. Suggest removal