Date: Fri 25-Aug-2000

STATUS DENIAL `MORALLY WRONG'

BY TIM GREENFIELD

Ex-Immigration advisor in call for status for 20-year residents – Status denial `morally wrong' By Tim Greenfield Denying Bermudian status to long-term residents would be ``morally wrong'', it has been claimed. Those people who had put more than 20 years of their lives into the Island deserve the same rights as born Bermudians, according to former National Liberal Party chairman Charles Jeffers. Mr. Jeffers said it was ``garbage'' to promise some form of restricted residency to those people, when they should be receiving the same rights and privileges as Bermudians.

``The issue of long-term residents is not contentious,'' he said. ``We have

to bite the bullet on this. ``I believe it is a miscarriage of justice when you say to people who have spent 25 to 30 years here, now you are going to give them a limited form of residence. ``If they are worthy enough to stay in Bermuda, they should have all the rights and privileges.'' Several options for long-term residents were unveiled in the Green Paper put before MPs last Friday. Paula Cox's plan included a ``permanent resident's certificate'', giving certain rights to buy property and some security in the job market.

Universal Bermudian status grants were ruled out. There are several options under consideration, including clauses for people who have given many years

Of service to the Island, but not continuous. And there are possibilities for siblings and spouses who have roots here. Mr. Jeffers said it was time Bermudians realised the citizenship issue was a two-way street, adding that many had benefited from dual passports enabling them to work in the US or UK.

``These people may have children and may have lived most of their working lives here. They have given their time, money and input to the community they deserve every opportunity to have Bermuda status,'' he said. He had resigned from the Immigration Advisory Council this week after complaining that the group had not been properly consulted on the Green Paper and work permit changes. Last night, Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox said part of the reason data was not given to the 33 IAC members was because of fears of leaks of sensitive information before Parliament had considered them. ``There have been a number of leaks from Government and we wouldn't want to put the most sensitive information out in that domain first, it wouldn't be the way it would go,'' she said.

Ms Cox said the council had been given the drafts of the work permit changes, which hadn't yet been debated by MPs, and had plenty of time to give their input. She said anybody who had a credible interest could comment on the green paper on long-term residents. ``With the Green Paper I had a duty to report to Parliament before giving it to any ad hoc group,'' she said. The Minister added that she thought there should be more meetings, adding that the council still had a role to play. She said she expected the council to fulfil a real need as an additional resource to the Ministry, and would expect regular reports from chairpersons of its sub-committees.