Problems of Guyanese visiting, living in Barbados under discussion by officials
By Daniel DaCosta
Guyana's Honorary Consul in Barbados, Norman Faria is holding meetings with customs and immigration officials on that island on a host of matters affecting visiting Guyanese and those living there. Issues include the treatment meted out to Guyanese at the international airport and the regularisation of the status of those living on the island. The Nation newspaper in Barbados recently called on the island's immigration authorities "to be more alert" in the wake of the discovery of an immigration racket involving a number of Guyanese. The racket involved the use of the Grantley Adams Airport by the Guyanese to gain illegal entry into Canada and the United States of America. The October 25 editorial of the newspaper stated inter alia that "after a number of Guyanese were caught in the scam there was nothing that could be said about why Guyanese wanting to enter Barbados were being questioned or had their documents thoroughly scrutinised by immigration officials." The issue of Guyanese and other CARICOM nationals being harassed at regional ports of entry is an age-old one. The question of hassle-free travel within the region for Caribbean nationals has been raised at the level of CARICOM Heads of Government in the past. President Bharrat Jagdeo was reported as reiterating his government's concern over the treatment of Guyanese at regional ports of entry, while in Barbados earlier this year. Foreign Minister Clement Rohee also recently sent diplomatic notes to his Barbadian counterpart, Billie Miller referring to reports made by Guyanese of problems encountered in entering Barbados. Over the years thousands of skilled and semi-skilled Guyanese have migrated to several Caribbean territories in search of jobs. The majority of them have been making significant contributions towards the development of these territories. Today an estimated 10-15,000 Guyanese live and work in the 166-square mile southern Caribbean Island of approximately 260,000 inhabitants. Barbados' main industry is tourism and its major crop is sugar cane and most Guyanese work in the construction, tourism and sugar sectors while some can be found in the medical, legal, education and other professions. Despite their contributions to the Barbadian society only their involvement in criminal activities find space and time in media houses. Guyana's honorary consul, Faria in an interview last week with Stabroek News at the Blue Horizon Hotel in Rockley, Christ Church disclosed that he met recently with Chief Immigration Officer Gilbert Greaves to discuss "matters of mutual interest". Greaves, he said, raised the issue of the high number of Guyanese who attempt to circumvent immigration and customs regulations. Faria said he referred to the stereotyping of Guyanese nationals at the Grantley Adams Airport and the sensationalising of a few cases involving defaulters. The consul briefed Greaves on the reports reaching his office on alleged harassment of Guyanese at the Grantley Adams Airport. The confiscation from Guyanese visitors of jewellery perceived to be in excess of that for personal use at Grantley Adams was also raised by Faria with Comptroller of Customs, Captain Randolph Straughn. Recently customs officials have been seizing jewellery from Guyanese entering the island on suspicion that it was for commercial purposes. "The big question here," Faria contended, "is how do you determine what is personal wear and what is for alleged commercial use?" These and other issues are to be discussed on an ongoing basis between Faria and the immigration and customs departments. The meetings to be held on a quarterly basis will not only address the treatment of tourists and business people, but will also seek to regularise the status of Guyanese on the island. Faria was quick to point out that "the majority of Guyanese who attempt to enter the island are allowed without any hassles." Meanwhile, the immigration department has suggested a change in the island's Constitution to arrest the increase in marriages of convenience. According to Rev. Joseph Atherley, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, the department is suggesting that Barbadians who marry foreigners live with their partners for a minimum of three years before status can be conferred on the spouse. The recommendation, he said, was made to the constitution review committee. According to Atherley the proposal came about because of the rising incidence of non-nationals who were marrying Barbadians and divorcing them after a short period to remarry and/or establish other households. The proposal follows in the wake of media reports of the discovery of a marriage scam involving Guyanese. The mastermind was said to be a middle-aged Guyanese resident on the island for the past 20 years. He is alleged to have arranged numerous marriages between Guyanese and Barbadians for a fee of between $2,000 and $5,000. The chief immigration officer acknowledged that the department had been informed of several suspected cases of marriages of convenience. Last month a number of Guyanese were arrested in what was described as a well-organised racket designed to allow Guyanese entry into the United States and Canada illegally at a cost of approximately $20,000. Immigration authorities noted that so far this year 34 persons have been deported for using forged travel documents. A Barbadian believed to be one of the key players in the scam is still on the loose according to immigration authorities. According to Faria, approximately 24 Guyanese are incarcerated in overcrowded Barbadian jails, including 12 women mainly for drug trafficking offences. However, he noted that there are larger numbers of Trinidadians, Germans, Swiss and British nationals in prison serving sentences for drug offences. The island is used as a transshipment point for drugs to North America and Europe.
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