The double standards in treating with immigration must be of concern to all of us

Jul 01, 2018 Eye on Guyana with Lincoln Lewis, Features / Columnists

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Current discussions among parliamentarians in the National Assembly, as to non-Guyanese who entered Guyana and whether they have departed at the end of their stay as permitted by the Immigration Authority, raise interesting questions. The signals that are being sent give the impression the focus is not driven by an approach to ensure an effective immigration system, but aims at targeting Haitians and Cubans while others are being allowed a free pass.
Once one enters a country and is given a stipulated date to leave, regardless of origin of the person, there must be compliance. The emphasis on the identified groups can be seen as profiling or targeting them because of their citizenry, which can be considered discrimination.
As People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Gail Teixeira demands that questions be answered about the non-accounting of a number of persons from the named countries, along with the information peddled in unofficial circles, concerns intensify.
When the PPP/C was in government, there was a situation where Barbados was trying to enforce its immigration law and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) protocols, an approach that caused Guyanese who did not meet such requirements, to be deported or turned back at the port of entry. Some were caught working illegally, while others were encouraged to regularise their status.
The Bharrat Jagdeo Government was upset with Prime Minister David Thompson’s effort to bring order in that society. The attack on that Government by the Guyana Government was lethal and sustained. The country was accused of discriminating against persons because of their race, and this allegation was only made because the Guyana Government felt East Indian Guyanese would have been affected.
This attitude led to an impasse between the two nations, who are founding members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The PPP/C, as a party, has to be very careful as to its posture on this current issue, lest it be seen that some races and/or citizens are more privileged than others in their eyes, including getting a pass when flouting the laws.
People move from one country to another for various reasons, including to improve their standard of living or if their country is experiencing some form of crisis – social, political, cultural, economic or environmental. As a country the citizens of other countries must be treated with dignity and respect, as we would so like or expect for Guyanese who travel or are resident abroad.
Cuba and Haiti share with us a similar history of slavery, the fight for respect and dignity as human beings, including the right to self-determination. The bones of our collective ancestors are buried at the bottom of the seas and their blood mixed with these waters in the peoples of the region’s bitter and determined fight through centuries for liberation and respect.
Haiti is a member of CARICOM, a regional institution that is pursuing integration for all. Notably in the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, the region commits to pursuing the unrestricted movement of capital, labour and technology.
Haiti has been going through very difficult times within the last two decades, most of which are natural disasters compounded by the poor sustainable management of the land and forests, resulting in serious losses and displacement. This reality would instinctively see people, out of the need for survival, feeling compelled to leave at any cost and whenever the opportunity arises.
The Cuba situation is a combination of economic deprivation – the results of more than half a century of an economic embargo pushed by the West. Yet, in spite of this, the Cuba Government has been most benevolent in Guyana’s education and training drive, by offering the most scholarships to our citizens who have returned to this country to participate in nation building. Now that Cuba has somewhat relaxed its travel restrictions, Guyana has been the beneficiary of increased economic opportunities in retail and wholesale and the hotel industry.
Presently Cubans and Haitians are experiencing difficulties in their countries and have been travelling to Guyana with the view of improving their standing of living, and it is unkind and unwise for our leaders to single them out with similar treatment. Law must be buttressed with other considerations for Cubans who have come here genuinely looking for opportunities.
As Teixeira seems to cast this issue as one of human trafficking, when such allegation was made by international bodies during the PPP/C stewardship in office, that government denied human trafficking in our country. That being said, it is important to examine if such a situation exists and have it fixed, since such practice runs contrary to international conventions and laws.
While APNU+AFC Member of Parliament Winston Felix is of the view the un-accountability issue of backtracking may be a contributing factor, notwithstanding this, the time has come for CARICOM Governments, led by Guyana, to do something about the situation. These Governments can seek to develop a settlement plan that can relieve – in the first instance – the crises existing in Haiti, and in the Cubans’ situation, could explore the necessity of improving diplomatic relations which can help us in understanding their plight and treat them in a better light.
The double standards in treating with immigration must be of concern to all of us. We have Brazilians populating this country in an unplanned manner, a situation that began during the PPP/C administration. Several communities can be found around the country with permanency settlement evident in the establishment of churches and businesses. These activities are happening right within the city, the seat of Government, and also in the hinterland regions. Some of these settlements are in close proximity to the Office of the President, so Government cannot deny their existence. This nation is yet to see any effort, by any Government, questioning arrival and departure and the possibility to bring about regularisation.
Why are Haitian and Cubans, our historical brothers and sisters, being singled out for different treatment?
A country (i.e. sovereign nation) has a right to determine and enforce its immigration laws and policy. However, where the approach is not holistic but targets groups of people because of where they are from, how they look and/or their beliefs, we have a problem on our hands. Such forms of discrimination must not be countenanced under any pretext of wanting to enforce the Rule of Law and securing accountability, for such enforcement requires holding all to the same standards, and having all play by the same rules.

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