McCartney 'will not blindly support' immigration policy

Tue, Dec 16th 2014, 11:32 AM

Although he has previously supported the government's new immigration policy, former Minister of State for Immigration Branville McCartney said yesterday that he can not
"blindly" support the new policy.
"While the government's intent behind the execution of these new immigration policies is necessary, I will not blindly support an initiative while taking one step forward takes five more backwards," he said in a statement.
"We must also act responsibly so as to not damage the country's international reputation."
McCartney, the leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), was referring to allegations of abuse by immigration officers towards foreign nationals picked up during recent checks.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell has said that there is no evidence to suggest that foreign nationals were abused.
Mitchell is expected to speak today before the Organization of American States (OAS) to address the new policy.
McCartney acknowledged Mitchell's defense that no wrongdoing has taken place.
"Earlier this year, however, the minister made similar statements about allegations of abuse at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre and the treatment of Cuban detainees," McCartney said.
"Investigations into the allegations later gave credibility to those reports and spawned widespread protests by activist groups in the United States. Is the good minister prepared to risk yet another such public relations fiasco?"
The former Bamboo Town MP was referring to allegations that members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force abused a group of Cuban detainees at the detention center following an alleged escape attempt.
McCartney called on the government to be more transparent and accountable on the new immigration policy.
But Mitchell has dismissed McCartney's concerns and chastised him for switching positions on the policy.
"Stop all the gamesmanship and support the policy that people who live and work in The Bahamas need to have the documents to show that they live and work in The Bahamas," Mitchell has said.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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