In his statement, the Prime Minister underlined the necessity of public trust in the enforcement of the nation’s immigration laws. The statement came in the wake of queries raised by the Opposition in Parliament, based, according to the Prime Minister, on inaccurate information.
He highlighted the issue of violation of law by civil servants who disclose private details from files under their care. According to him, such actions breached public trust, and people sharing their private information with the Government should have confidence that their details will not be misused.
He stated, “It is fundamentally important that Bahamians have confidence that every immigration matter is handled fairly, in accordance with the law, and in the best interest of The Bahamas and the Bahamian people.”
Noting that there had always been a considerable amount of discretion in the enforcement of immigration laws, the Prime Minister said this was necessary for flexibility in responding to unique situations and changing circumstances. However, he stressed that the system should also promote fairness and due process.
The Prime Minister voiced his commitment to change and not merely defend the status quo. He said, “When there are ways to improve governance, we are going to modernize the system instead of maintaining it.”
He announced that the Government would undertake a comprehensive review of the checks and balances in making immigration decisions, with the aim of strengthening them.
The Prime Minister’s announcement is viewed as a strong response to address public concerns. The proposed comprehensive review is expected to increase the efficiency, fairness, and accountability of the immigration system, thereby boosting public trust and confidence.
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