This week I present the hot and divisive topic of immigration and migration. This article highlights immigration from a biblical perspective, our own local immigration situation and the way forward.
Immigration has always been a complicated subject ever since the creation of mankind. Immigration is ultimately about the movement of people throughout the world. This issue of immigration is currently a hotly debate topic in the USA. It is said that two hundred and thirty million persons are currently migrating. Migration is part of the human DNA. The history of the world is the history of migration. Migrants move for many reasons such as to seek a better standard of living and to avoid political and religious persecution to name a few.
The whole issue of immigration is covered extensively in the Old Testament. The Maker has always had compassion and a special love for strangers, and commanded us to care for them also whenever the opportunity arises. Our Creator is the founder of institutional migration as He placed immigrants in strategic and important positions to rule and govern in foreign countries. It was Joseph, an immigrant, who saved Egypt from famine. Daniel also became the equivalent of a Prime Minister in King Nebuchadnezza’s government. Our Lord was also an immigrant as His parents took Him to Egypt as a baby to escape King Herod who wanted to kill Him. During His time on earth, Jesus also supported migration by telling His followers to go in the entire world and proclaim the Kingdom of God – a culture of peace, joy, prosperity for all and compassion for others. Therefore, from very early in creation, it is seen that immigrants are also gifted human beings who can bring value to a country.
Whenever the matter of immigration is being discussed within our society it is the nationals of the Dominican Republic (DR), and persons from other Latin American countries, that are at the centre of the debate. Let me categorically state that I do not support any form of human trafficking and the involvement of immigrants in any illegal activities on the island. However, we have to be objective and be courteous to all visitors who enter our island legally. Some of us tend to have a short memory. Not all DR nationals are foreigners. In the early half of the 1900s many of our men traveled to the DR for employment purposes as the economy of Anguilla was non-existent. Many remained there and had families. When our economic situation improved many DR nationals, including those who were entitled to Belonger status, came to Anguilla seeking employment. They are people who will always try to beat the system but we cannot lump all persons to be of the same character. Additionally, we cannot forget that the DR was good to us when we had nothing.
What we do not talk much about is the behavior of some expatriates who think that Anguilla belongs to them. Some expatriates even treat us as if we are immigrants in our own island, and they want to tell us what is best for us. Some expatriates in influential positions on the island behave very disrespectful to locals and treat them with disdain. They have a leadership and management style that leaves a lot to be desired. But again, they get away with it because of lack of the political will of our leaders to put proper legislation in place. According to Dr. Martin Luther King, “It may be true that the law cannot change the heart, but it can restrain the heartless.” Some expatriates even try to bully and circumvent the immigration system for their convenience. Some run to the Governor’s Office for its intervention when they are not getting their way. I commend those expatriates among us who lead and manage compassionately, have dignity and respect of others, and who refuse to feel privileged and entitled.
I applaud the Chief Immigration Officer, Ms Laureen Bryan, who does her best in a very difficult and volatile job function. Ms Bryan gets a lot of unwarranted criticism by some persons in the community. She can only carry out her duties in accordance with the existing immigration laws and policies. If Ministers of Government want any meaningful changes to the immigration laws and policies, they are the ones to do so. Most times, the Ministers give the general public the impression that public officers in the Anguilla Civil Service have the power and authority to change laws. Sadly, some members of the public believe them. On a related note, where is the Labour Code?
One may argue that we are treated like immigrants in our own country. We are sandwiched between our selfish political leadership and the Governor’s Office which represents the interest of United Kingdom Government. Our political leaders give lip service to issues. There have been calls for a new immigration policy for many years now, but to date nothing has been done. We need leaders who would not violate the principle of “to whom much is given, much is expected.” The people’s spirit has been broken and they now live in a state of hopelessness. To think that we can live and rule without the involvement of the Creator, we are fooling ourselves. According to the late Iwandai Gumbs, “Who is laughing now? The One who was once laughed at.” The sheep have been led astray for too long. The Shepherd is back any time soon to care for His flock. We will no longer be treated as immigrants in our own land.
