Minister of State for Immigration the Hon Branville McCartney said he was delighted that staff was undergoing such special training. ?I am always thrilled and excited by persons who seek to upgrade themselves through education, whether higher learning, refresher courses or professional development courses,? he said. ?I am a strong proponent that in order for us to realise any significant growth and development in the Immigration Department or any department for that matter, special emphasis must be placed on training and retraining."
Regarding immigration officers as the ?keepers of the gate?, Mr. McCartney said their job is unique, as it requires a special breed of persons to carry out that responsibility. ?Yours is an awesome responsibility especially given our archipelagic make up of islands and cays,? Mr McCartney said. The September 11 terrorist attack on the United States, he said, "has changed the world forever.
"In addition to having to guard against illegal persons, human smuggling, persons seeking to smuggle illegal contraband and substances," he said, "we must be on the lookout for terrorists, as our country?s main industry is tourism. ?We depend on people visiting our shores and it is you we depend on to allow the right types of persons to enter our country.?
Mr McCartney thanked the IOM facilitators for conducting the seminar - the second in a series for the Department. Fifteen senior immigration officers participated in the training sessions. The Bahamas is part of the series of training being conducted and funded by the IOM in the region.
The seminars are being facilitated by Richard Escott, regional representative, IOM; Frantz Celestin, programme coordinator, IOM; Eloisa Bejarano-Hoopes, consultant, IOM; and David Gutierrez, IOM. The IOM was established in 1951 to help ensure the orderly and human management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems, and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.
