We cannot stop the sloops, but we can stop other things
Introduction
The Turks and Caicos continues to experience a significant number of sloops arriving from Haiti. It is true that we cannot the sloops from coming here. The adverse economy in Haiti, the political instability, the gang violence in Haiti and our proximity to Haiti are driving desperate individuals to risk their lives at sea to come here on sloops.
We have been able to intercept some of these sloops but there are many sloops that have arrived in TCI undetected. As a result, our country is full of undocumented individuals. Therefore, we do not know anything about these individuals. These individuals can possibly be involved in criminal activities. Even if they are not criminals, they will be forced to become criminals in TCI because they have no legal rights to work and live here. If they have no money, but to survive, they may resort to criminal activities. The TCI is considered one of the most dangerous places in terms of per capita and quite frankly it is because of the crimes that are taking place in these shanty communities created by our neighbours.
These individuals can also have health issues posing a strain on our already overwhelming health system. The largest segment of our population is from Haiti and so the more sloops that come further strengthens the Haitian community in TCI. This is a major national security threat to the Turks and Caicos.
The Government must make some tough decisions, and a clear message of intolerance must be sent.
Stop the issuance of first-time work permits for individuals from Haiti
Successive Governments have had policies in place to stop the issuance of first-time work permits for Haitian nationals however it seems as if the policies were not enforced. We must be serious and committed to this. We have more than enough Haitian nationals in TCI. The fact that we continue to issue work permits is an invitation for more to come. Also, it does not seem that we are catching the illegals so the word is on the street that they can come here undetected.
Stop renewing work permits for individuals for a lengthy period
Work permits were never intended to be on a long-term or permanent basis. A limit should be set on how many times a person can renew a work permit. Exceptions should apply if you work as a nurse or teacher.
Stop allowing individuals to enroll in the public schools
It seems anyone with a legal status can enroll their children in public schools. This policy must be discontinued immediately. All students of work permit holders must be registered and enrolled in a private school and the parents should bear the cost not the Government. We must also enforce that law that children are not to be endorsed on domestic workers work permits.
Stop allowing individuals of illegal status to enroll in private schools
Individuals who are illegal should not be allowed to enroll in a private school. The schools should be fined if this happens.
Stop allowing individuals who cannot speak English to enroll in school
English is our language, and a teacher should not be forced to teach English as a second language. I am not even sure that we have many teachers who are trained in teaching English as a second language.
We are accepting students who cannot speak English in the schools and we even promoting them in higher grades due to the age.
This practice must stop immediately. Otherwise, we are encouraging individuals to come as they are.
Stop the illegal jitneys
The illegal jitneys are a big means of transportation on the island of Providenciales. They are illegal and should not be allowed to operate. They are not only illegal, but they are also dangerous. There are allegations of passengers being sexually harassed by some of these jitney drivers. Individuals stop suddenly in front of you to pick up a passenger. If we do not stop this illegal practice, we will continue to encourage more illegals and more people to our country to practice.
Stop the growth of the shanty towns
Although an informal settlements unit office was established, shanty towns continue to expand. If we do not do anything, we are encouraging more of these individuals to build these types of communities in our towns. It is dangerous and fire hazardous.
Put a hold on the purchase of land by foreign owners.
I believe we should take stock of what we have and put a temporary hold on the purchase of vacant land by foreign nationals for about a year. People are acquiring land, legally or illegally, and constructing shanty towns.
Conclusion
We have nothing against Haitians, but it is not our responsibility to accommodate and take care of them. Many people that think we are cruel towards Haitians need to put themselves in the position of Turks and Caicos Islanders. Other than the Bahamas and the DR, I don’t think any other Caribbean country is facing what we are facing. We are under a threat and if we do not do anything now, imagine what the Turks and Caicos will be like ten years from now. No country should have one nationality to be outnumbered more than its citizens. This is a very scary position to be in.
I challenged the Government to make some tough decisions. Do not be afraid of losing the votes from the Haitian Community. Do not be afraid of voodoo practice. If you’re concerned, make it illegal.
I know there are other nationalities in this country that are illegal too. We need to deal with all illegals but lets us be realistic, our greatest threat and the most illegals in the TCI are from Haiti.