It's not that we simply don't care. We, I'm betting you do to, generally concede that these persons, victimless criminals or not, are responsible for getting themselves in the situation that left them subject to the harsh conditions at Fox Hill prison. Why wouldn't the same attitudes apply here? Whenever there is limited resources choices have to be made. It's not reasonable to complain about the national debt and at the same time expect unlimited funding to do everything that needs to be done. So which area do you think should funding be reduced to facilitate these upgrades...education, health, defense?

I think if the report is accurate, and I doubt some of it, improvements have to be made, but not according to their suggestions unless they provide the funds. The detention center, if people continue to stay there long term, should operate like a prison. The detainees should be provided with department of immigration apparel, a visiting nurse should have set hours, and the detainees themselves should be responsible for the cooking, cleaning and laundry. Anything above and beyond that including legal representation should be provided by family, friends and volunteers.

Clearly the world thinks illegal Haitians flocking to the Bahamas is a Bahamian issue...I never said Haiti! None of the world powers, or humanitarian organizations care enough to address the root causes of illegal migration by Haitians. Even this so called human rights organization "validated" inhumane treatment and walked away! Actually they did not even take the time to visit. I don't have the benefit of wearing blinders. So I cannot overlook the starring role the illegal Haitians have in all of this. So, for me, there is only one rational conclusion.

Fred Mitchell has gotten tons of international press and he is handling it very well. More and more, he is proving that he has the mental toughness needed to lead and to engage in international politics. He is not cowering to American pressure, a.k.a the OAS, and the implied effects on our tourism industry. Fred Mitchell and the department of immigration does not seek to do anything in secret because there is clearly nothing to hide. Plain and simple: we cannot afford the number of illegal immigrants that has been imposed on us. And while we bared this burden for decades, the OAS, the US and the UN were perfectly fine with the conditions of Haitian immigrants in their shanty towns that are even less humane than the reported conditions of the detention center. So don't be fooled by this BS report! The OAS, the US and others have deemed this a Bahamian problem, and they couldn't care less about the plight of the "poor" Haitian. If they did, now is the time to prove it...but I would not put any money on it, to be honest. They simply don't care. This will remain a Bahamian issue to deal with, and we should handle it in terms of what is best for the country.

How are children being targeted? Sometimes poverty, and lack of funds, causes people to live in inhumane conditions. The detention center cannot afford to house all of the detainees. So what are they to do? Why is the international community pressuring this developing nation to do what their developed nations can easily, but are unwilling to, do. What is our alternative, release them all? However, when they return to the equally inhumane conditions of their shanty towns and continue to tax our very limited resources, there will not be a peep from the international community. Treat them "humanely" but just don't make them our problem is all they're saying. I can't take them seriously.

This article was humorous throughout even though it was not the intent.

Fred Smith is actually the one embarrassing, and additionally defaming, the country. If the minister told him to withdraw his comments or he would not attend, why was he surprised that he did not attend since the comments were not withdrawn?

The Haitian American Grassroots Coalition was supposed to provide an objective view of the Bahamas' immigration policy? Like Daphne Campbell and Jetta Baptiste's objective views that exclude any Bahamian interest or concerns?

Fred Smith is a joke!

That just shows what a great leader he is. He is acting in the best interest of the country and not emotional ties to a distant homeland. So thanks for sharing. He has now earned more respect from me!

By the way, it's not Haitian versus Bahamian. It's about illegal migration and what it means for successive generations of the illegal immigrants.

It's actually not. When you hire someone you are providing them with the means to support themselves while they are in the country. When you sponsor someone you are their means of support while in the country. If your employee or sponsored person, does not have insurance guess who inevitably pays for it? There is nothing discriminatory about that...the government should not have to bear any part of the responsibility for someone you chose to import.

"Furthermore Fred Mitchel's policy requiring employers to provide insurance and housing for immigrant workers is discriminatory."

I believe this was for domestics. And it's not discriminatory. In the US if someone sponsors another to come and live they have to provide proof that they, and not the government, will support them. And now that everyone has to be insured. I am sure that is also required. This is not a new concept. It should have always been in place.

Any threat to the security of the Bahamas is worth investigating. Call it what you want but inciting people to revolt against the Bahamas government is a threat, this is way past freedom of speech. I think the only issue you and Don Anthony have is that finally a Haitian(s) may have to be responsible for their action. Imagine that...?

Also, this has nothing to do with his heritage, if he could prove he was a Bahamian since BC, it would not matter. A threat is a threat. It would have to be investigated. A real democracy would call this a threat to Homeland security. Only in the Bahamas would people entertain this recklessness as "freedom of speech" until its too late.

He should be reprimanded at the very least for being a public figure, in a leadership role who is constantly making reckless, untrue, irresponsible and now threatening remarks about or to the country. Not to mention playing on the existing tension of both sides of the immigration debate. Like I said freedom of speech carries some responsibility and integrity - Mr. Smith seems to have neither.

Also, he is not being intimidated nor is his free speech being or ever been censured. Clearly. It is important to our nations security to investigate whether his calls for a revolt gained traction within the Haitian community. The Bahamas would be acting irresponsibly, if he were not taken seriously and at least investigated.