Dear Editor,
Parliamentarians, I am calling on you to take a serious look at our illegal immigrants crisis. I will start with an example of a Bible story that talks about when the children of Israel entered Egypt they were numbered as 70 persons. By the time all that generation died, their descendants were just over 2 million (Exodus-Numbers). They outnumbered the Egyptians in Egypt and the king of Egypt was very concerned that if war broke out, they would be defeated. When they went into Egypt they were the children of Israel. And when Moses led them out, they were still the children of Israel. So what are we doing about our situation?
If we don't have an administration that takes this illegal immigrants crisis seriously, we will continue to be in crisis. For example, there are far too many shantytowns with each having over 100 illegal immigrants. When the question is asked as to what we are going to do about these shantytowns the normal response given is that Bahamians are living in these towns too. This is an unacceptable excuse as to why we allow them to continue to exist.
If we need a change in our immigration laws, then please, let us do what needs to be done. We can't continue like this. The problem is already out of control and if permitted to continue, the problem will become more and more pervasive.
So far, it appears to me that the administrations over the years, former and present, have failed the Bahamian people as it relates to them not dealing with this issue. We need to fix this problem before it is too late.
The amount it costs us per year to repatriate illegal immigrants is always pronounced, but the question I have is how much of our yearly budget financially supports the cost we incur per year to take care of the immigrants here illegally? Can anyone or any administration produce these numbers? It crushes me considering that our public debt is well over $3 billion. How much of this debt relating to illegal immigration is being absorbed by us, the Bahamians?
Some of the negative effects experienced by us are as follows:
o For 2011 thus far, it has been reported that about 1,200 illegal immigrants have been sent back to their homelands. And I believe, out of that repatriated group, some have already returned. This is not fair to Bahamians.
o The school system is overcrowded. It is alleged that the illegal children are entering the school system by recycling birth certificates. I am demanding that this matter be looked into. How will our children have a quality education in this type of environment? It is not a surprise that our national grade is a "D" average with a system like this.
o I believe a great number of the crimes in our country are being committed by unfamiliar illegal persons. This is continuously being displayed on our local news.
o Our medical clinics and hospital are overly burdened by unfamiliar illegal persons. When Bahamians go to be serviced by our country's public medical officers, they are faced with the issue that beds are not available or they must wait hours to be served.
o Too many shantytowns could cause diseases and outbreaks because they don't have the proper infrastructure e.g., plumbing, water, etc. Moreover, it is clear why our fire budget increased. The three towns that recently burned used some of our resources and created a cost for us. What else needs to happen in these shantytowns? How many more fires must take place? What needs to take place with these illegal immigrants before our parliamentarians take this illegal situation seriously?
o Illegal use of our electricity by them has also become an economic burden because the cost of fuel is placed on the backs of Bahamian taxpayers.
o It seems to me that in some facets of our society, we are already outnumbered.
We are almost to the point where, in our country, we don't know who is who. Why should illegal immigrants live in our country and enjoy all the benefits designed for Bahamians for free? All Bahamians must strive and pay their way. Why should they be able to dwell on the land, enjoy our infrastructure and other systems for free and Bahamians have to pay for the property they own and dwell on? In my opinion, this is unacceptable.
In conclusion, administrations over the years have failed to deal with the matter at hand a very important issue. Bahamians must obey the law of their land and so should the illegal immigrants. I am calling on all Bahamians to speak up on this immigration issue for the sake of our children and grandchildren.
Please put this issue on top of your agenda. As Bahamian citizens, we can't afford to lose control of our country to illegal immigrants. I want to assure you that if we don't take this situation in hand, we will lose control of our country.
But the question still remains, in whose hands will the future of our country, The Bahamas, be in? Will it be our children and grandchildren or the children and grandchildren of these illegal immigrants? I am calling this situation a sleeping giant. Please let's get this resolved.
Yours, etc.,
Rev. Esther Dawkins-Thompson
 

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian