Now, now...

Let's not avoid this topic simply because we have talked about it at length before or are afraid of what other may mistakenly think of us (as it seems some of our politicians are). The excerpts below are new bits of information that, if correct, should spur prompt and decisive action by the Bahamian government...maybe.

"The doctor claimed that of the 96 live births at PMH during August, only three were Bahamian babies" - Tribune 8/31/05

"for June only five of the 64 live births were to Bahamian parents" - Tribune 8/31/05

Bahamians have received sign after warning sign and still do not seem to want to do anything about this situation. Xenophobia and racism are the first words to come out of the mouths of those who can't see past our "little island nation" scenario, but something has to be done. Self preservation must be the primary focus of this nation. We can and will help others, but not to our own detriment. A small nation which is expanding rapidly beyond its capacity through the combination of illegal immigration and births by these illegal immigrants will eventually face the daunting task of having to fix the situation (And it probably wont be pretty).

If illegal immigrants were not allowed to stay long enough to have kids, then we would not have the problem of figuring out what status the kids should be given in the first place. We also would not be guilty of breeding a growing group of persons who do not know or are confused about where to pledge their allegiance.

:bahamas: :dgi: :haiti:

It wouldnt take a degree in rocket science to begin to solve the problem now, but if this Bahamian government keeps on waiting, we will need more than rocket science to solve the societal and humanitarian disaster that we are allowing to be created. To put it in Bahamian terms, "if ya gatta mash sum people dem corns, den mash em!" To the government: Stop watering-down my sovereignty for votes and the perception of being politically correct! Do your job and protect the rights and priviledges of the citizens of this nation, first and foremost!

i heard that those stats were actually false. On ZNS news they said it was wrong. 3 bahamian kids?

i heard that those stats were actually false. On ZNS news they said it was wrong. 3 bahamian kids?

ZNS news? Wonder which MP called that one in?

If those figures are incorrect, then The Tribune will have a cover story for the correction tomorrow and I myself will stand corrected.

I need to view the actual statitics before I comment...

I need to view the actual statitics before I comment...
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Would someone post a link with the original article. I want to read this for myself.

ZNS news? Wonder which MP called that one in?

If those figures are incorrect, then The Tribune will have a cover story for the correction tomorrow and I myself will stand corrected.


Some people told me that ZNS said that those thats were wrong. They dont sound so accurate either, if you said something like 60 bahamian to 40 non bahamian or vice versa then it sounds a lil accurate. But only 3 Bahamian births? They must have had a major contraception drive during december of 04.

I had a child last year August.

Of the eight or so ladies who had babies on the day that I did, there were only three bahamians.

Of the twenty or so ladies on the ward, half were hatian. They had to get the trainee nurses who were just out of COB to interpet for them. Many of them did not have clothes for the babies.

While I agree that the figures may be a little off, I dont think they are that far from the truth. For every bahamian born there are about three babies born to an illegal mother.

Even if the figures are wrong, they are an indication of what is to come unless something is done.

Hardline measures must be taken and if a few have to cry for the greater good then so be it.

I feel that if we start to prosecute the bahamians who harbour and hire and the corrupt immigration workers who give work permits and papers under the table, then less people will be inclined to assist illegal persons (Hatian or not) and it will be, if only a little, still a help.

I stand corrected.

The 90% figure is incorrect (that's a relief) and the Tribune has a front page story that includes the real figures from the Honourable Dr. Marcus Bethel, which state a birth rate of over 70% Bahamian. I'll post the newspaper figures later.

I stand corrected.

The 90% figure is incorrect (that's a relief) and the Tribune has a front page story that includes the real figures from the Honourable Dr. Marcus Bethel, which state a birth rate of over 70% Bahamian. I'll post the newspaper figures later.
But are they born Bahamians or just with papers?I really dn't think the hospital goes into all of that.

But are they born Bahamians or just with papers?I really dn't think the hospital goes into all of that.


was the diff?

Straight from the source (The Tribune, that is)

"The actual number of births for the maternity ward for the period August1st through 22nd stood at 222.

Of this number, 166 or 74.8 percent were documented as Bahamians. Those documented as Haitian nationals accounted for 18% with a further 4.5% being Jamaican nationals and the remaining pecentage of 3.4 % comprised of various other nationalities."

...the overall rate of Bahamian births for the year 2005 averaging 73.5% of the total births so far this year

was the diff?

There is a huge difference. A “paper” Bahamian nowadays is someone who simply paid for their citizenship. The bottom line is that some of them entered the country through illegal means. No matter what the situation was in their home country, the reality is that they deserted it for their own survival. In itself, this exemplifies a person who does not truly know what loyalty to their country really is. In any event, how can anyone respect a system that is so easily abused? Their mindset would probably be that Bahamians are incompetent for selling their birthright so easily and an impression would be formed that Bahamians are lazy and lack the vision to do anything about this blatant exploitation. Though it may not be said out loud, it is certain that this train of thought has permeated certain elements of Haitian society.

Any group that is allowed to invade another’s territory virtually undeterred and unhindered will inevitably take over that region. Miami is a perfect example. By the time the US decided to crack down on the illegal immigrant situation, a strong foothold had already been set. In the US it doesn’t matter that Miami’s cultural atmosphere had been circumvented, however, for they have hundreds of millions of Anglo-Saxon citizens in the continental US. The Bahamas is not so fortunate to have that many people and we have established the precedent that our laws and our territory can be overridden with the simple handing over of a few dollars or just the illegal building of a house on our land. At this rate, cultural replacement is inevitable.

This situation will haunt future generations. I am sorely disappointed in those who claim to be the protectors of Bahamian social and cultural norms, for many of them, while their intentions may be good, are allowing this slow and steady displacement of Bahamian society. And yes, there are Bahamians of Haitian decent who feel that the situation is unfairly being put against them, but the truth is that I have not seen any of them speak out against what is happening in this country (you know, the one they now are a citizen of). Where is the Bahamian of Haitian decent who will get on the radio and speak in Creole to those of their former country telling them that they must not abuse Bahamian law and must go back home, no matter how bad it is in Haiti. Those of Haitian descent are either keeping their mouths shut or choosing to only speak out against perceived prejudice, further fanning the guilt-trip that perhaps Bahamians should ease off of stemming the flow of illegal immigrants. This is a challenge to anyone of Haitian descent, "tell ya former peoples dem that there is no more room at da inn, and dey definitely ain't Jesus". No one is denying the human factor in someone trying to find a better life, but there is a point where the situation becomes abusive - The Bahamas reached that point many years ago. The future political, social and cultural stability of The Bahamas depends on this situation to be solved now and in full light of the Bahamian public.

Protection of Bahamian culture is imperative - The correct steps are not being taken to resolve this situation. What do you think would happen if the US government knew of illegal shanty towns being built on US gov’t land? Would they simply allow them to continue to develop by default? No, that would be an absurd thought to think that those responsible for the country are allowing a large group of foreign persons to openly break the law and create a "catch-22" type situation by having kids that gain citizenship though birth in that country. The Bahamian government is letting this nation down by allowing things such as this to occur.

Though inaccuracies like the one in the Tribune are unfortunate, one must wonder how soon will it be that the 90% figure which was presented becomes reality. Perhaps the Tribune simply gave us a glimpse into the future.