This is quite an interesting read. Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean region has many of the same immigration problems as we do and the citizens there are getting restless.



Thoughts on land, crime and immigration
Thursday November 22 2007

Dear Editor:

The issue of the land in Barbuda is so fascinating to me and I believe it is going to change the way of thinking for a lot of people in Antigua, especially these politicians who ‘willy nilly’ like to give away our lands (our patrimony) and feel that if you come onto this little piece of land right at the time of birth of a child, not even knowing the place, that that child is Antiguan.

Impossible! Go right back to the Bible when lands were given to a certain people and one had to be part of that lineage in order to stake claim to any part of that land, and it does not matter where the tribes had their children, they were and are still considered to be a part of that people. There must be a tie-in to the bloodline. This is just common sense.

The great America has and is still working to correct this thing, because the authorities realise that people are just coming into their country at close to the time of birth or whatever in order to be called Americans and reap the benefits. Many of these children are born there and taken back to be raised in the parents’ homeland.

But we here in Antigua, we cannot ever think for ourselves and so we follow the American system in all they do. And this is not just so in Barbuda where lineage is concerned; let people do their own research. Up to this point, anybody can arrive here and within a short space of time, own lands, sometimes more so than a true Antiguan. Remember we also have our lineage who are entitled, living in other places presently.

Now the issue of are Antiguans/Barbudans one? Or is the separation of land area different. I feel that our land handed out to non-Antiguans especially where there are large amounts should be retrieved. Does anybody look at birth certificate, who the parents/grandparents are, check these people’s background?

And finally, thanks for the two Canadian police officers who were sworn into the police force. We need even more. Remember that these officers do not know people here, are not likely to be bribed, are knowledgeable and experienced on criminal matters as they have worked for many years in North America and not afraid to act when they need to. And most of all, do not want to fail. I would not use any one from the Caribbean. They cannot even solve their own problems and would possible have some type of connections here.

Immigration is out of control. How many times can one visitor return for an extension without the department realising that that person has other plans than visiting? Why all the extensions? We need to send out, clean up and slam the doors. Because if you look at the majority of people who are coming into this country, they aren’t those who could even help build our society.

We are like one big ghetto now – every body is dumping on us and yet Immigration continues to not only let them in but does not see to it that they leave.

When all these people come in to visit at the airport, does Immigration really believe that they have plans to return? Get real. Next elections will be quite interesting – Crime, Immigration, Lands.

Thank you,

Watchful.