‘Man Without A Country’ Now Canadian
A man officially without a country since 1989, former Bermuda resident Jens Hansen — who moved to his wife’s native Ontario in 2001 — became a Canadian citizen this month.
Mr. Hansen worked here for more than a decade and was a mainstay of Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society and other stage productions during his time on the island.
Branded as stateless shortly before he moved to Bermuda, he could not leave the island for many years because no other country would accept him.
“Wherever I’ve been, I’ve always been a foreigner, since I was 25,” Mr. Hansen told Canada’s “Niagara This Week”. “It’s nice to not be a foreigner anymore. To be a Canadian, it really means a lot.”
The Beamsville, Ontario resident is pictured above with his wife and two sons after taking the oath of citizenship at the Canadian Citizenship and Immigration offices in Hamilton, Ontario.
Born in Holland Mr. Hansen received Danish citizenship, taking his nationality from his father. Then, at 25, when he was planning to move to Bermuda, Mr. Hansen visited the Danish embassy in the UK – where he had grown up – to ensure his documentation was in order.
“Written in Danish, which Mr. Hansen never learned, on the back of his passport was a notice that he must reapply for citizenship at age 21,” reported “Niagara This Week”. “Being older than 21, Hansen was immediately stripped of his nationality.
“I’ve been without a nationality since 1989,” he said. “Stateless is the official title.”
His move to the island for a printing job was eventually approved by Bermuda’s Ministry of Immigration after Britain issued him with a certificate of identity.
After five years in Bermuda, though, London refused to renew Mr. Hansen’s identity certificate because he was no longer resident in the UK — and his citizenship entered an international bureaucratic limbo.
“Mr. Hansen became a virtual prisoner on this tiny island, 22 miles long and a mere two miles wide,” reported another Canadian newspaper. “He said: ‘They couldn’t kick me off the island, I wasn’t eligible to go anywhere’ …”
He met and married his Canadian wife, Carolyn in Bermuda and the couple had two sons here, Kristiaan and Liam, before immigrating to Ontario — which Mr. Hansen said ”was a bit of a hassle” because of his statelessness.
“I really needed to be a citizen of Canada. It’s not right not having a citizenship, not having a nationality,” Mr. Hansen said. “It’s a very important thing. Now I can vote and I am going to be doing that for sure. I have rights that I never had before.”
GOOD LUCK!!!
Am i right or wrong in saying this?
I think a lot of bermudians can identify with this story.When we travel and want to work somewhere we are really not british,we are not caribbean,we are not Americans,and when you want to come back and work in Bermuda you are made not to feel welcome in your own country.
Thats why so many Bermudians are always overseas trying to find work,we have no real strong identity in Bermuda the major companies in Bermuda are all run by foreigners are government say they cannot make real decisions without the british Govener.
Are identity can be very limited in bermuuda if you do not come from a strong family or good education you can feel missplaced thats why so many people end up lost in our society.
Thoughts anyone?
Thoughts?
Your post sounded a LOT like poorly spelled, opportunistic Pro-Independence propaganda.
“When we travel and want to work somewhere we are really not british,we are not caribbean,we are not Americans,and when you want to come back and work in Bermuda you are made not to feel welcome in your own country.”
Really? Every person that I know that went to Europe and wanted to work found a job just as easily as anyone else. I’ve never heard of discrimination against them because they are Bermudian.
Anecdotal, yes, but anecdotal evidence is better than none, which is what you are providing.
“Thats why so many Bermudians are always overseas trying to find work,we have no real strong identity in Bermuda”
Whose fault is that? I have a VERY strong identity as a Bermudian. I love being Bermudian. I’m proud to be a Bermudian. I love my country and my home.
“the major companies in Bermuda are all run by foreigners”
“are government say they cannot make real decisions without the british Govener.”
Then “are government”, if they’re saying that, are either ignorant of reality or are lying for political gain.
We’ve been self-governing from pretty much the start and have one of the oldest Parliaments in the world. That’s something to be proud of.
“Are identity can be very limited in bermuuda if you do not come from a strong family or good education you can feel missplaced thats why so many people end up lost in our society.”
And the solution is…?
Our identity is, or should be, based on a choice we make, not what we’re told to think.
Personally, I think Bermuda is the best place in the world. Yeah, we have our problems, but I wouldn’t leave for anything. This is my home and I love it. I love being Bermudian. As annoying as it is, I love BEING annoyed when someone asks me the inevitable “Bermuda Triangle” question. I never wear them, but I love Bermuda Shorts. I love our pink beaches. I love our people. I love our culture.
I identify with all aspects of it. I love that I was brought up with reggae and calypso and knew who Bob Marley was before I could talk. I love our slightly uptight, laid-back Britishness. I love that I honestly don’t give a crap what colour someone is. Being Bermudian did that for me. Not my upbringing or my family or anything else but simply being here.
You’re not proud to be Bermudian? You don’t identify with it? You don’t think of it as a MAJOR plus?
That’s no-one else’s problem but yours.
…… What he said!
As someone who was BORN IN BERMUDA to two non-Bermudian parents I can identify with this story… and I’d lived in Bermuda all my life. I’ll never forget being pulled into the department of immigration and being told I could not work without a permit because I was not Bermudian and I would have to wait until I was 21 to “apply” to be Bermudian. I was considered in their eyes stateless and a “LEGAL IMMIGRANT”. I was working to go to college and was told I had to stop and couldn’t work any longer because I was not “Bermudian” even though I was born here and had not lived anywhere else. I couldnt apply for a scholarships either. Funny thing was I had to register for the regiment because I was “Bermudian”. After asking the round table of Immigration big wigs what would happen if I was “caught” working illegally I was told I could be deported!!!! Then I said….but I was born here, have a Bermuda issued passport, birth certificate and I have no other connection to any other country so where exactly are you going to send me….Space! I’ll never forget the look in their eyes, the frowns on their face and silence in the room …none of these “intelligent” suit wearing professionals could answer me. So I politely stood up…excused myself and said, “when you have an answer for me” call me..I’m going back to work. I never heard from them EVER!
Very eloquently stated. Bermuda’s laws are so complex it seems no one knows actually knows the real answer, or won’t accept them. From what you have said, you are a true Bermudian as prescribed and I hope you will be able to sort out this mess.
Thanks…. the mess was sorted out years ago…AFTER I was almost 23 and paid $1000+ for the priveledge of calling my home….my home. They never mentioned that the process would take so long. In the amount of time that it took for my application to be “approved” the XL / ACE buildings were built. I guess its who you know!
I remember doing some reasearch on the matter and reading that a child born on a Bermuda Registered Cruise Ship (I believe it was the NCL line but I may be wrong) that had NEVER visited Bermuda but sailing in international waters would be considered Bermudian… yet I was not!. I was good enough to defend my country during a riot and help clean up after a hurricane but not good enough to be Bermudian until I paid for the priveledge $1,000 and waited patiently on the beurocratic bandwagon. I remebered thinking, what is a true Bermudian anyway? When the first settlers arrived here the only TRUE Bermudians were HOGS! Anyway… I didnt mean to take away from the focus of the article! I’m not bitter, really I’m not. I love my Bermuda despite its faults. But… I still wonder why those in the position of power (our politicians) don’t change laws that hurt instead of help the same people that love this country and WORK hard for it!
RED – I understand your frustration. Were your parents not able to extend their respective citizenship(s) to you by virtue of your birth?
So that’s where you have been? We have been looking for you! Lmao
PRICELESS!!!
The BEST story I have read for a very very long time!!
All the Best to You!
If you born in Bermuda to non-Bermudian parents, then it’s up to your parents to register you in the country that your parents are from. Stop making up stories about walking out of the Department of Immigration. Do you know how many Work Permit holders are here with their spouse as a dependant? When they start a family together do you really think they go back home to have the baby? NO!!! They go to the the hospital in Bda just like everyone on the ROCK!!
After the baby is born they get a Bermuda birth certificate YES!!! Then the parents make application for the child to obtain status in their country.
HELLO HELLO!!! If Bermuda Immigration gave all these Work Permits kids status because they where born in Bermuda…….this island that I love with all my heart would be HELL!!!!
And one more thing if you are a British National, which I’m assuming your parents are. They can apply for a Bermuda passport for you, but that doesn’t make you Bermudian!! That’s why you had the Bermuda Passport.
You ever notice when you arrive at the airport in Bda and the Customs Officer ask you if you have the Bermuda Immigration Stamp in your passport? Well that’s why to see who’s Bermudian and whos’ not………since the British can get them. I thnk it’s a good deal since so many of are cowards are getting UK passport to run, work & hide in the UK from the gun problems.
What does this mean?
“I thnk it’s a good deal since so many of are cowards are getting UK passport to run, work & hide in the UK from the gun problems.”
It means they step on someones toes & the person or peoples toes they step on is GUNNING 4 them. One thing about living in Bermuda now…… is it don’t matter how BIG you think you are. These young guys don’t give a RAT.
They come looking 4 U packing Smith & Wesson.
Don’t get me wrong NO MAN SHOULD BE SHOT LIKE A WILD ANIMAL!!!
In the majority of the cases they started the beef now they run to the UK for witness protection.
Thanks for the article. Most surprised it made it all the way to de rock!
Some great comments above and I certainly feel for Ken and Red with the experiences they are having.
I’ve been floating around various countries all my life,(Holland, Nigeria, Iran, England, Bermuda)never really belonging but still having a good time!
My father is the same, always the consummate traveler but still able to keep his Danish nationality, despite having been born and raised in Indonesia and having spent very little time in Denmark. He took his nationality from his father, just like I did.
Bermuda was a very special time for me and my family and she will always be in our hearts. This Canadian family will be back one day for a visit! First stop; the beaches and the Bermuda Aquarium! (OK that was technically a second stop but I love the Aquarium!)
I am so glad to be Canadian & Live in Canada.
This story just supports why everyone loves Canada lol
A country, which accepts assists & loves anyone from everywhere regardless of sex, religion, and country of citizenship or in this case lack of!
I hope one day that every country will be as accepting as Canada ; it would be a much better world!
I guess this proves that Bermuda is not the only country with idiotic immigration and naturalization rules.
Since I am Bermudian by Status and have a certificate to prove it, I was easily able to go and work in my company’s NYC office a few years back. My co-worker, a born Bermudian, couldn’t prove she was Bermudian without a great deal of difficulty and missed out on the opportunity.
The fact that we STILL have no automatic birthright is insane.
Is RED telling the truth about getting Bermudian citizenship or is he bluffing? I was born and raised in Bermuda to non-Bermudian parents just like him. I am 18 and cannot work or apply for scholarships which is frustrating. My parents pay my full tuition when they could have been paying less if things were different..
Just remember,as a Canadian,u must not drink strong alcohol!