Ministry On Commercial Immigration Meeting
The Ministry of Home Affairs said they wish to address some of the recent commentary about commercial immigration being “shared in the community which may have caused some sentiments of concern in the public.”
The Ministry reiterated that “tomorrow’s meeting is intended to be an information session where the matter of commercial immigration will be presented by an independent non-governmental organisation.
“The discussion will focus primarily on how other jurisdictions have adopted the concept of commercial immigration.”
Today, in addressing the matter, the Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy restated the Government’s Throne Speech pledge by saying, “In last November’s Throne Speech, Government announced its intention of exploring the concept of commercial immigration. Research has indicated that it has assisted in creating jobs and stimulating the economy in other jurisdictions.
“We have talked at length about various ways of stimulating our economy, with one of them being direct foreign investment. Globally, commercial immigration is viewed as an avenue which provides direct foreign investment.”
Models are being used in close to 20 countries, including St. Kitts, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Malta, Mauritus, the US, the UK, Canada, Singapore, Monaco, Portugal, Latvia and many others.
Minister Fahy continued, “To be clear, at this stage Government has not taken a position on the initiative, and tomorrow serves as an opportunity for the public to gain some knowledge and insight about what trends are taking place internationally regarding commercial immigration.
“I can appreciate that there are varying views regarding the subject matter, and I am tremendously sensitive regarding all aspects to do with immigration. But without the benefit of accurate information, there is the concern of misinformation. And the perpetuation of misinformation does a disservice to what is intended to be an open, transparent consultation process.”
The Minister concluded, “As I pointed out last week, it is my hope that the public can keep an open mind regarding this issue. The ultimate goal is to ensure that we provide opportunities for Bermudians.
“And if we are to find solutions to the challenges that we face, we must all be committed to having a constructive, respectful and positive discussion, so that we can all come away better informed and better educated as to what commercial immigration entails.”
Tomorrow’s [Jan 14] meeting will take place at the Cathedral Hall on Church Street from 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm.
The presentation will be facilitated by an independent think tank, the Migration Policy Institute [MPI] – an organisation based out of Washington DC. MPI is dedicated to the analysis of the movement of people worldwide and they have extensively researched other governments’ commercial immigration policies.
The Opposition PLP is on record as saying that “giving away Bermudian citizenship and the right to vote to hundreds of non-Bermudians is a red line we will not allow to be crossed.”
“The PLP is committed to defeating any effort to relegate Bermudians to second class citizenship status to anyone sneaked in under a cash for passports scheme,” Shadow Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban previously said.
OBA is a joke
But what they are doing to Bermudians is not funny.
I know, right?
How DARE they explore trying anything and everything they can to stimulate our economy to get us back on our feet.
Those bastards.
Mike you are an a@#, mike faye is a paper bermubian giving away our birth right to the highest bidder, and you see nothing wrong with that ?!! Im sure they can come up with other ways to grow our economy without selling us out.
Yawn… last time I checked, the only indigenous Bermudians were cahows and some turtles. We are ALL “paper” Bermudians my brother.
OpenMind1609 do you feel the same about Europeans in America, Canadians, White South Africans, and any other country that Europeans inhabit where aboriginal people existed before they invaded ? I thought not.
Mazumbo, being I always like to help people, I will help you!! If you are so bitter about Europeans invading places, why don’t you move to South Africa, if they will have you, and fight your fight from there??? Just asking??
You’re on a roll today! Just completely ignoring what people are saying to spread your message.
Well done.
Mazumbo, it is a fact Bermuda has no aboriginal people and was colonized first by the English in 1609, from which I have direct ancestral relation to Christopher Cater thus my blood runs deep per se, a very unique situation that not many other places in the world can attest to. It is also a fact that all humans originated from Africa and also a fact that all humans have been invaded or invaded other humans in one shape or form throughout the course of history no matter what distance their ancestral relation may be. No one is trying to invade Bermuda, fact! Unfortunately we live in a Global Economy and people’s quote unquote birth rights diminish day by day whilst our global cohesiveness grows stronger. I’ll end this rant with a quote I enjoy, “Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.”
Its nice to know you can trace your ancestral relation unlike others whom where denied. Whoopdydoo!!!!!!
Sorry to hear you don’t know who your Daddy is.
I know who my daddy is I just cant trace my ancestral lineage like the former slave masters but since you want to go there I just might be your daddy.
If we don’t watch out Bermuda will end up with more people like the Green family. Those disgusting ‘paper Bermudians’ who just want to buy up all of our derelict hotels and hire us to fix them up to rent out to tourists. Then we’ll have to be entertaining those tourists and fixing their meals … it just never ends.
And there you show your true colours.
“Paper Bermudian”.
Separate but equal. Us vs. Them.
Disgusting.
“Robert” strikes again. Takes a poke, then runs away like a coward. As per usual.
It’s sad.
Your words,’Those bastards’ are going to stimulate the economy and flush out the lower income Bermudians. If you can not see the Bermudians will suffer in the long run, you are sad.
Focusing on just the economy and not the people as well is not funny.
A rising tide, raises all size boats and “those bastards” do not care about the little boats. Your blind faith in the OBA and dependence on others to save us is scary. A Bermuda for All Bermudians is what I want. Not just for the wealthy that can ‘Pay to Stay’.
Jus askin, are you serious??? If you are, then you know are the poster child for ” dumbed down plp supporter” you plainly said ” a rising tide raises all boats ” why would having more money brought here not help all Bermudians??? You do realize that a Bermuda for all Bermudians means nothing if we don’t have any money don’t you??? Of course you don’t!!! For the slow I will repeat, we Bermudians have nothing of substance to offer this world!!! We need their money to eat!!! Get it yet ??? The plp have brainwashed all you sheeple into thinking that we can do it without foreigners, but I can tell you right now, if we didn’t have them we will ALL starve to death!!! What part of approx 5000 of them leaving and now we have massive unemployment and hunger with way too many Bermudians have you missed??? And you sheeple still are listening to the plp??? Is there any helping you guys understand this situation??? This situation is so serious now, we really all need to come together and get behind the any government that is trying to help us!! Right now that is the OBA, it sure as heck not the plp, they are still not admitting the damage they did and intact are denying it??? If you really want a better Bermuda for all Bermudians, open your eyes and do something!!!!
I’ve never supported the PLP. Are you serious, we would all starve to death, WOW. Call others sheeple but you obviously need to be fed and led by another
OBA and/or PLP will never produce “A Better Bermuda for All Bermudians”
You do realize our BDA $$$ are worth nothing in this world don’t you??? So yes without foreign investment we will all starve to death, because we could not buy food or anything else for that matter with out it!!!
I watched when Voices Rise again and I’m reminded that the Colonialist wanted Bermuda to be a big playground for the Elitist and when the Blacks stood up against injustice and fought for a better living it messed up their program because the Colonial Elitist expected Blacks to be subjugated servants like our cousins to our South and it still frustrates them to know that we are still a part of this Island just as much as them and they will try their best to flood this Island with Europeans to stabilize the census.
History repeats itself.
No. It doesn’t. You’re just mad your party lost the election and will say anything because of that.
So give me your version of it if you’ve watched it.
So you don’t want measures that will create jobs for Bermudians. Got it.
What makes me laugh is that you shy away from historical facts that is shaping our present time.
What makes me sad is that you’re willing to twist historical facts for your racist agenda.
It’s sickening that you’d do this… and more sickening that someone might believe you.
Well done Min Fahy for holding this meeting, hopefully all those that attend actually listen to the facts that are presented, and learn from them as opposed to showing up and be counter productive, hopefully this will not be a plp grand stand of nonsense by those pushing the plp agenda!!!! We need foreign investment like yesterday to put Bermudians back to work!!!
The bottomline is, the UBP/BDA/OBA (mere wolves in sheeps’ clothing) wants to increase the white voting population so that they may retain the reins of CONTROL. Hence, the reason they are looking overseas to import whites who share the same undying sentiments as they. Overstand, those Blacks who voted for them in December 2012 will not make the foolish mistake of voting for them ever again, and the UBP/BDA/OBA knows this. Therefore, they (the UBP/BDA/OBA) are going to increase their numbers by any means necessary. Their mentality is that of the white supremacists–determined, greedy, selfish and destructive. However, they would like us to believe to the contrary. Blacks on this island must be very careful and ever vigilant that we are not led like sheep to the slaughter.
Yup right on que, through ignorance we have idiots that have to resort racist comments??? Ever notice that the OBA supporters never do that?? Thankfully the majority of Bermudians are way past that now!!!
The bottom line is you want to stop jobs being created for Bermudians.
But don’t a good number of the opposition hail fairly recently from St. Kitts?
They got citizenship right? Whats different now?
We got ours perhaps?
“It’s ok when we do it.”
That is another little bit of history they wish to be forgotten. They arrived here on their own free will & expense, not in the 1700s agaisnt their will.
Here’s a bit of HISTORY we came from St. Kitts on our free will and expense we still had to fight tooth and nail for equal rights and justice and still fighting compared to Europeans who come here and get undeserved privilege.
Nicely done, ignoring the point of the post to twist it to your own racist means.
That is the POINT, you think that when we came here from St. Kitts we had the best of jobs equal opportunity in society, fair representation on affairs, etc, etc, your problem is you are ashamed and embarrassed of your past but will embrace the benefits from it.
I’m not ashamed in the slightest of my past. Not even a little bit.
You have no idea what you are talking about and are simply lashing out, yet again, based on my skin colour.
Yes they do, but you have to prove your back ground is indeed kittian. St.kitts has also sold their souls to the highest bidder, all uou have to do is spend $250,000 in the country and they give you status. Sad stateof aaffairs in the country of my grand parents.
Why is it sad?? I fail to see any negative aspects of this? What are you afraid of? Why are you so afraid of affluent (and ergo most likely; intelligent) people joining our Bermudian ranks?
You don’t want to do something that would give jobs to Bermudians.
I’ll say it again….
Any foreigner who pays whatever six figures for this matter (remember also it’s not a done deal) will not compete with Bermudians. Simply because 1. Most Bermudians do not have six figures lying around to actually throw around and 2. Any Bermudian who actually does have six figures to throw around, is probably a very established and prominent Bermudian. IE. Dr. Ewart Brown or Gary Phillips.
What foreigner is going to take anything from those two gentlemen? This is PLP political theatre to make the OBA look like they don’t care about Bermudians. Give it up.
You’re an a*@#, wow !!
Intelligent response. Think about it Robert!
I don’t have 250k to my name, nowhere near it! How am I going to compete with anyone on that level in the first place???
A foreigner who has that money is not going to even be working any blue collar jobs. Get real you lot.
All Bermudian’s ancestors came from somewhere else. If this does happen, I’m sure that it will only be a plus for our country, that has been so undermined. I also wonder how many know where Walter Roban was born and how he ended up to be in Bermuda. He wasn’t born at KEMH like most of us, yet has the nerve to complain about anything that he deems foreign. This initiative may get his campaign lackey a job that he hasn’t gotten in all the years that Walter Promised to get him one. Yes, he is the same unruly person that was shouting on the hill at our Premier.
For your information Somerset ancestors from every Island in the Caribbean came from somewhere else and they claim that Island to be their own and are Proud of it with the exception of Bermuda who are still not Independent and have a large influence of Colonial Eurocentric thinking. So if that is your point of view ,all the Europeans in U.S.A., Canada, South Africa and any other country that they raped, stole and conquered should go back to where their ancestors originated, I thought you couldn’t handle that!!!!!!!!
LMAO
Can someone explain to me what commercial immigration is? Gary Philips?
Take a look at the New Zealand model. It could be, for example, that you get to live here on a permanent basis if you invest at least $1m into a business here for at least 5 years, that employs at least 5 Bermudians. You have to live here, with your family, and you have to make Bermuda your full time. In return you get some form of permanent residence. There are ways to set this up so that it can’t fail to benefit Bermudians.
But I notice that none of you folk above have mentioned the granting of status for these persons. Please, don’t deny that is Min Fahy real intention. Also, can any of you tell us WHY, individuals would want to move here? why would I leave Canada or the USA etc to come to Bermuda? don’t get me wrong, there are reasons, but can you folks tell me what they are?
Status is exactly what is being talked about. Passport/Status is all the same in the context of this discussion.
As far as why someone would want to live here, it is largely due to personal income tax in their home jurisdicition. There may be other reasons but I think that is the primary motivator for having status.
Finally, in terms of these people competing with Bermudians, I think that is a bit overplayed. They would be competing in the ‘high end’ job market with our without status. These are laregly people starting or in charge of international companies. So at best, they are competing with Bermudians who are likely already very senior and well to do. They are not competing with the 99% of the average Bermudian. In addition, it is not like these people are clammoring to buy Bermuda real estate in droves. If you haven’t noticed, it’s not the best investment these days. Sure they may buy a home, but at that level, they are buying the $2.5m home,not the average $650k Bermuda cottage. So the real ‘threat’ cited by the PLP is largely not there.
And despite what the PLP say, this is not ‘giving’ away passports or status. Giving implies something for nothing. The whole intent is to exchange the right to status in return for jobs for the average Bermudian. That is not giving. That is a rational exchange of what both parties deem to be worthwhile.
Now having said all the above, I’m not in favor of any plan until it is presented and shown to be well thought through and will likely have the desired effect. Many ‘good’ ideas fail due to poor implementation. This could be the same, but let’s hope not. Keep an open mind and let’s hear them out.
Personal income tax? Interesting. These same countries are closing the “tax loopholes” as we speak, but are you saying that it is for tax reasons these folks will come here? So they actually have no interest in voting in Bermuda right? If this is true, then it must mean that it is Fahy and the OBA who want them to have the vote. That’s what I thought! Bottom line, the OBA cannot be trusted on any issue. They have zero credibility.
You are clearly ill informed on tax regimes. Anyone (other than Americans) who legally reside outside of their country would legally not pay income tax. Amercians, only if they denounce US citizenship.
I’m not sure why you would assume they would not have an interest in voting in Bermuda. If I lived, worked, raised a family, own property, pay taxes in Bermuda, then yes I would want to have a vote in the future.
Look, I’m sure we are not talking about massive numbers of individuals and so no, I don’t see this as simply a way to ‘buy votes’. If the OBA or any political party wanted to ‘buy votes’, I’m pretty sure there are more efficient and effective ways of doing so without all of this hassle. This is about bringing in affluent people who can generate jobs; in return they want citizenship. Fair trade if done right.
what a bunch of moaners! do you think the OBA are importing UK teachers, policemen, nurses, and prison guards like in the 60s and 70s?
Instead they’ll go for billionaire Wall Street, Tokyo, Moscow, Silicon Valley, and Bangalore types….you won’t have to compete with these type of people. Their net worth is probably equal to our national debt!
@swing voter…why do those persons you mentioned want to come here?
certainly not to meet you.
who the hell cares…as long as they come with investment money, and new business opportunities it also means you’ll get a job
Yes, but why would they want to come to Bermuda? There are other more lucrative tax havens to put their billions that can grow their wealth very significantly through low wages, high productivity, government incentives and the ability to air charter their kids to schools anywhere in the world. Bermuda does not hold any distinguishing factors, as they can simply throw a bought status in their safe and use it, when their accountants tell them that they need to diversify their wealth. In other words, they do not need a bought status in order for them to invest in Bermuda. And, no its not icing on the cake, or the cake itself, as billionaires’ wealth creation does NOT come from Bermuda. We manage wealth, not create it. Or, they will save millions by paying no taxes or low taxes in Bermuda from their newly bought status?
So, the only likely factor will be that they renounce their citizenship (in order to stop paying taxes to their country of citizenry and make an investment in Bermuda in return for Bermuda status), right? So, what types of investments, what amounts of investments, how much will citizenship be valued at, $25,000. per head?
We know that IB thought our PRCs were virtually valueless, dropped from $225,000 (or thereabouts) to $25,000, so why would the billionaires want to pay for our citizenship, when they can buy it from other jurisdictions? Precisely what will attract them here, a Morgan’s Point investment or are we selling a hidden factor to them?
And a noted point, are these the same islands (St. Kitts) that are ridiculed, scorned and held in the ultimate contempt as the models of banana republic and backward thinking, by OBA supporters, that Bermuda should never emulate; And now they are your showcase model for commercial immigration?
So, when you want to make commercial exploitation, our ancestry suddenly glow from the dark ages. In other words, stop trying to twist us in the wind by espousing OBA propaganda when it suits you, such as, islands to the south are dumb backward people, but now we’re smart forward thinking people for the purpose of commercial immigration. Different models work well for different islands, we can respect our islands to the south without copying their model, NOT we respect them only when they have something that we want to COPY.
The question is not if the audience will listen to the presenters, but rather will the backers (OBA) listen and respect the will of their people. And, we all know the answer to that question.
London, England
Ms. akinstal, thank you for a very good post. You have answered my question as to WHY persons would want to come here. Wealth/Asset protection……not to “invest and create jobs”! The OBA spout out that propaganda as a means towards electoral gerrymandering. As you so eloquently point out the high degree of hypocrisy by the OBA towards the Caribbean, I think many see the same, and understand the the thinking behind the words. @swing voter…..learned anything yet?
You ignore the obvious benefits of living here. It’s a nice place. It’s not a bad place to raise a family. It is a good place to locate some types of business. If the requirements included a minimum investment in an enterprise that employs a minimum number of Bermudians, the candidate gets to invest in a business and live in Bermuda with his family. He would own a business here. And Bermudians would be employed in it.
yes I learned a lot over the past 14yrs. Perhaps both you and expat Valerie should have a look at campervans blog below
But you’re an expat….aren’t you? please tell us how has the UK benefited from your relocation
Are you addressing me, Swing Voter? And if your answer is yes, then at the very least you can show enough respect to unmask yourself before you look to personally challenge me.
But let me position your question from another perspective, in Bermuda do you encourage, appreciate and/or even acknowledge the benefits of your relocated expats? And if so, when and how, when was the last Expatriates Day, Swing Voter?
Or rather let’s SWING the question back to you, how has Bermuda benefitted from your presence?
It’s a very silly question, undeserving of an answer.
And campervans blog, perhaps Bermuda can make honest and sincere efforts to dig itself out of this quagmire when you stops acknowledging the female politicians who put you into this mess as heroes. It’s not about blame of who put you there, but rather acknowledgement that their political experiences drove Bermuda to this point, and there is nothing heroic about that.
London, England
If it is as easy as the Government is making it appear to grant status at will, how come the Uighurs don’t have status already?
I just maybe behind times but, didn’t the last of the Uighurs and their family leave the Island recently?
I didn’t hear that, Raymond. Anyone care to enlighten us about how that suddenly came about?
Are you possibly thinking about the last of the Uighurs leaving Gitmo recently?
Other jurisdictions aren’t 21 square miles. There is only so much land/space that we have. Unless the MINIMUM investment is $1 million dollars, I don’t want to hear it Min. Fahy. The fact that you are giving away PRCs @ $25k makes me doubt your judgment for what is best for Bermuda.
You’re right. Monaco is only 2 square kilometers.
They are not giving PRC’s away. The criteria is that those qualified individuals create jobs.
I have never seen the “Dislike” button used so often as of lately.
The PLP must pay people to sit in front of their computer all day to Poo-Poo everything.
The blind leading the blind.
They have no interest,in making a positive change for the better in Bda.
Their agenda is to derail any form of success in getting Bda back to work and firing on all cylinders for political gain.
Monaco is only 2 sq km
People that qualify for PRC have to have created jobs. Bermuda will benefit from them being here as jobs will have been created because of the one PRC certificate.
The US bases have closed.
The Royal Navy has left,.
The Canadian listening post is gone.
Tourists have been wooed elsewhere with excellent services, options and prices.
Bermudians have relocated to the UK for education, healthcare and jobs.
Expatriates have left or been outsourced.
You better invite someone to the party or your government pension will be written on an IOU.
Start learning to love immigrants as well as the person in the mirror.