Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis said yesterday the Free National Movement (FNM) stands "shoulder to shoulder with Prime Minister Perry Christie and his government" in the face of backlash from the international community over its immigration policy.
From his downtown office, Minnis said despite the policy and political differences between the official opposition and Christie administration,
"We are one when it comes to protection of our sovereignty.
"The FNM believes that in the main, the actions being taken by the administration are right and will redound to the benefit of The Bahamas in the long term.
"As we have publicly stated, the FNM is at all times deeply conscious of the need to executive public policy in the most appropriate way.
"We consider the preservation of human rights to be a paramount concern and in that regard, are committed to protecting and preserving the dignity of the individual at all times."
Minnis said while the FNM has been appraised of some concerns, its inquiries have confirmed that immigration officers have operated at the
"highest level of professionalism and sensitivity".
Amid concerns raised by several international organizations over the immigration policy, Christie told reporters on Monday the government recognizes this nation's international obligations, but it is doing what is "just", and "right".
Human rights organization Amnesty International expressed "serious concern" over the policy and said it received reports of alleged human rights violations and arbitrary detentions, with the Haitian community being disproportionately targeted.
The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights (RFK Center) recently expressed alarm over the "discriminatory use of the new immigration policies in The Bahamas".
Christie said Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell will travel to parts of the United States, including Washington, D.C., to address what he called "misinformation".
During a press conference in Little Haiti last week, Florida State Representative Daphne Campbell urged tourists and businesses to boycott The Bahamas over the policy.
Christie accused Campbell of "fueling resentment" with "absolute nonsense".
Minnis said he spoke with Christie yesterday and expressed the FNM's support.
Minnis said he advised Christie that St. Anne's MP and shadow minister of immigration, Hubert Chipman, will work closely with Mitchell.
He said he asked the prime minister to advise Mitchell of the same.
Minnis also commended the men and women of the Department of Immigration on the frontline of the initiative.
"They do their work under the most difficult, stressful and at times dangerous of circumstances," he said.
"We thank them for the work that they do on our behalf every day.
He added, "We encourage them to maintain their high standards."
The new policy, which took effect on November 1, requires all non-Bahamians to have passports of their nationalities and evidence that they have permission to live and work in the country.
It also states that the Department of Immigration will not accept first-time applications for residence or work permits from those who have no legal status in The Bahamas.
What has caused the most reaction are the images of children posted on social media sites during a raid on November 1.
However, Mitchell said they were picked up for their safety and well-being as their parents abandoned them when immigration officers visited their homes.
In that regard, Christie said "special policy" is in place when it comes to children, and the agencies involved in enforcing the policy are being "responsible".

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