Barbados PM taking immigrant issue right to CARICOM heads

Thompson (pictured above right) has been strongly criticized by the country’s Opposition, as well as others in the region including Guyana's president Bharrat Jagdeo (pictured above left) for his stance on illegal CARICOM nationals in Barbados. He has gr

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, July 1, 2009 – Barbados’ Prime Minister David Thompson says he has no intention of backing down from his stance against undocumented, illegal and unchecked immigration at the upcoming Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders meeting, despite criticism over his position.

He said he had previously set out and would outline again at the July 2nd to 5th Heads of Government Conference in Guyana, the challenges that the problem is posing to Barbados’ social and economic structure.

"I will not be hiding from, or ducking the issues. There is clearly a need for public education of all interest groups, at all levels, and I intend to lead from the front on this issue," Thompson said.

The Prime Minister added that prior to his discussion with regional leaders on the issue, he would request an audience with journalists attending the summit in Guyana “to reiterate the policy position of this Barbados government on issues of immigration, migration and the free movement of CARICOM nationals in and out of Barbados".

"There must be no ambiguity about where Barbados stands on this issue. As Prime Minister, I will outline the policy position of the government and that which I sense is the position of the vast majority of Barbadians,” Thompson said.

The Barbadian leader further stressed that he was going to Georgetown in search of ideas and suggestions for tackling the problem.

"I will outline the challenges confronting Barbados and I will take on board the concerns of colleagues, as well as accounts of specific incidents of less than professional conduct on the part of Barbadian authorities. I will investigate all such reports and act thereon,” he said.

"Above all else, I will embrace any and all ideas advanced by my colleagues towards managing, mitigating and eventually alleviating the challenge of illegal, undocumented and unchecked migration in Barbados.”

Thompson has been strongly criticized by the country’s Opposition, as well as others in the region for his stance on illegal CARICOM nationals in Barbados. He has granted a six-month amnesty to those who have not regularized their status, making it clear that after the period is up, those who still remain illegally will be deported.

The issue is expected to be a hot button topic at the meeting of regional heads.