As a black Bermudian living in Spain since 1987 and having had to apply several times for residency and work permits (two separate processes), I would like to point out the inaccuracies of Alvin Williams' statements about recent changes to immigration laws here in Spain. By contrasting these changes with Bermuda's treatment of long-term residents, Mr Williams' statements suggest that these changes further limit my rights as a legal resident. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Firstly, I don't see any connection whatsoever with the long-term resident situation in Bermuda and the status of immigrants in Spain. The changes in Spain's laws address the legal status of illegal immigrants, not legal residents like myself. As a matter of fact, what we've had is an amnesty legalising the situation of those immigrants who can prove that they have been living and/or working here. (A utilities bill in the applicant's name is enough to prove residency.) This is the third amnesty that I can remember in recent years and although I have not had to take advantage of them, I do know many who have. As a matter of fact, these amnesties have been cause for concern in the northern EU nations where they would prefer an immigration cutoff from North Africa and Latin America, the principal sources of illegal immigrants in Spain. The amnesty, in fact, is a final attempt to clear up the legal status of immigrants before trying to clamp down on illegal immigration as requested by the EU.

Secondly, I have never been denied the right to purchase property in Spain. Anyone, legal resident or not, can purchase a home without price limitations. A child born on Spanish soil is Spanish, regardless of its parents' legal status. And, as a legal resident I have the right to apply for Spanish citizenship should I choose to do so. In February I applied for renewal of my five-year permit and in April was informed that I have been granted the new permanent permit. This recently implemented permit would be Spain's equivalent of the US green card.

Finally, as far as recent articles on "migrant" workers in Spain are concerned, it must be understood that we are still talking about illegal immigrants, not legal guest workers. They are for the most part North and sub-Saharan Africans who risked their lives crossing the Strait of Gibraltar in overcrowded shabby boats looking for a better way of life in Europe. Many don't make it alive and not a week goes by that a lifeless body does not wash up on Spanish shores. Fifteen were lost at sea this Wednesday. These "illegals" take mostly temporary jobs that no longer interest locals, usually jobs in agriculture--sounds familiar? But there is one big difference between Spain and Bermuda. There is tremendous public support for these people here. There are mass demonstrations held on an almost weekly basis calling for a total relaxing of immigration laws. Of course there are dissenters who claim that the immigrants are taking jobs from Spaniards, but the pro voices are much louder than the cons. I have rarely seen such public support from politicians, unions, businessmen, students and average citizens elsewhere. Maybe people up north would be a bit more sympathetic to the plight of developing countries if the battered bodies of would-be immigrants started washing up on their shores.

I feel that it is about time that Bermudian long-term residents be given the right to choose to become full Bermudian citizens. For many, Bermuda is the only country they have known; they consider themselves 100% Bermudian and have contributed much to the success of our country. There is no convincing reason to offer some interim second-class status that only postpones the inevitable: full Bermudian citizenship for all Bermuda-born and long-term residents who choose to take it. It is about time that we stopped making our long-term residents the victims of everchanging political agendas.


Mervyn G. Darrell
Madrid, Spain