700 Applications For Bermudian Status Received

June 17, 2015

Approximately 700 applications for Bermudian Status have been received and the number of decisions has climbed to a total of 100, Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy said today [June 17] in the Senate.

Minister Fahy said, ” I stand today to provide an update on the processing of Bermudian Status applications under section 20B[2][b] of the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956. Bermudian status applications are processed by the Personal Services Section of the Department of Immigration.

“On February 18, 2015, I provided an update on these same applications. In that Ministerial Statement, I mentioned that the Department of Immigration had, to date, received a total of 620 applications and that only 70 applications received a decision.

“Presently, the total number of applications received has climbed to approximately 700 and the number of decisions has climbed to a total of 100.”

The Minister also said that KPMG Bermuda offered to provide administrative services on a pro bono basis to assist with processing applications, saying he is  ”grateful to KPMG for this notable offer” which will be at no cost to the Government.

The Minister’s full statement follows below:

Madam President, I stand today to provide an update on the processing of Bermudian Status applications under section 20B[2][b] of the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956. Bermudian status applications are processed by the Personal Services Section of the Department of Immigration.

Madam President, Senate members will no doubt recall that on February 18, 2015, I provided an update on these same applications.

In that Ministerial Statement, I mentioned that the Department of Immigration had, to date, received a total of 620 applications and that only 70 applications received a decision.

Presently, the total number of applications received has climbed to approximately 700 and the number of decisions has climbed to a total of 100.

In February, I also mentioned that The Department of Immigration was considering structural changes, perhaps with the addition of help from within Government to manage the over-abundance of applications.

While some structural changes have taken place in the Personal Services Section, such changes have only marginally impacted the processing of the 20B[2][b] applications and enlisting help from within Government has been challenging.

Madam President, in late March 2015, I was approached by Mike Morrison [Head of KPMG Advisory] and Neil Patterson [Chairman of KPMG Bermuda] with an offer to provide administrative services on a pro bono basis to assist with processing the 20B[2][b] applications.

Project Manager, Ms. Lori Rockhead of KPMG was referred to the Chief Immigration Officer and since April, the two parties have worked together to identify the terms of reference for the provision of services. I am pleased to advise that the Engagement Letter was signed on June 12, 2015.

Madam President, KPMG identified five Staff Accountants and one Audit Senior [all are graduate students working on their CPAs] who could be seconded to the Department of Immigration each for a period of 3 to 6 weeks between June 16, 2015 to August 28, 2015.

The proposed secondees are all Bermudian, as required by the Department of Immigration. The secondees, who will report directly to the Personal Services Manager, include:

  • Scott Nearon
  • Jarryd Ray
  • Jozelle Escolastica
  • Bradley Mitchell
  • Dayshalae Smith
  • Scott Higgins

Madam President, it is anticipated that a total of approximately 1,500 hours of work will be undertaken throughout the engagement period. The secondees will be stationed at the Department of Immigration [4 will start on June 16, 2015]. Their primary responsibilities will cover:

  • Reviewing application files for completeness;
  • Contacting applicants or their legal advisors to obtain outstanding information to complete the application; and
  • Assisting with any associated tasks required to prepare complete applications [i.e. naturalisation, police reports, advertising, etc.] for review by technical staff and for a decision by the Minister.

Madam President, progress updates will be considered on a weekly basis between the Department of Immigration and KPMG. It is anticipated that by August 28, 2015, most, if not all, 20B[2][b] applications will have been vetted for completeness with steady submissions by applicants for outstanding information being submitted in a timely manner.

It is anticipated that the work of the secondees will give the technical officers a real push to move the applications along for a decision, thereby closing the process.

Madam President, I am grateful to KPMG for this notable offer to assist the Department of Immigration. Of significance is that the services will be at no cost to the Government.

Not only will the Department of Immigration be better poised to complete the 20B[2][b] Bermudian status applications but the secondees will most assuredly find the opportunity rewarding; they will be exposed to unique administrative processes and will gain knowledge in the interpretation of legislation and how that legislation connects with policies and procedures.

Thank you, Madam President.

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Comments (120)

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  1. watching says:

    What is the rush?

    • Ian says:

      You know what the rush is.

    • hmmm says:

      Perhaps if a form isn’t processed in a certain time then people have to reapply as the information may be out of date?

      Seems to be taking too long, so this makes sense.

    • Christopher Notorious says:

      If there was a rush, it would have been done by now. As it happens it is a dreadfully long drawnout inefficient Government process that is dragging this out. The decision has been made and, like it or not, these people have a right to Status. They just might like it before they die.

    • @ Watching, I will tell you what the rush is and why the panic button is being pushed, Minister Fahy is the one who all eyes is on. To the born Bermudian he is a disaster going no were and to the ex pat trying to get a piece of our Birth right, he is a savoir.

      It is a crying shame that we continually keep putting up with this crap and continually keep rubber stamping so many people as paper Bermudians, some I realize are entitled under the marriage act, but others I will say need to be halted.

      The Minister has already proven he s hell bent on rubber stamping as many as he can while he is in that position to do so, and I give the Hon. Premier no less respect because he is at the helm of it all and not doing anything to slow it down or put a darn right stop to it, and the next thing to happen is we shall see Mr Photo up and Mr photo up Jr, standing along side of all the new paper Bermudians getting their mug shots.

      The sad part of it all is these same people after all is said and done can go back to where they came from and live comfortably, or be like some folk that only use Bermuda at certain times of the year to make money and then take it back to their native land.

      • Unbelievable says:

        Duane, you clearly don’t hang around ex-pats enough or at all.

        • Seascape says:

          unfortunately, he is right about some of these people that have applied. I know of Portuguese people that got PRC and now status only to go back to the Azores after they got approved. Should only be given to those that are going to stay in Bermuda. Used to be that you would lose your status if you were living abroad after a certain time.

          • Catch A Fire says:

            @Seascape…So should we revoke the Bermudian status of thosethat left Bermuda for life on the dole in England. There are HUNDREDS doing that have left Bermuda in the last 5 years!

            So what if you know some Portuguese that status and left! To some, that is called retirement. I know several people that have busted their a**es and now enjoy life travelling and living in other countries part of the year. Some move to take care of elderly parents or to get closer to their kids and grandkids. Who are you to cast judgement on anyone else. Where did your mom and day come from? What about your grandparents or your husband or wife? Dig a little deep into your family history or look at your current family circle and tell me, is EVERYONE in that circle born and raised here? If not , do you love them less. Is it okay for others to hate them because they are not from here? Think about it! I will say no more as I trust your gene pool is a little thin my friend.

        • Betty says:

          Well said @Duane P. Santucci, you are SPOT on with that one. As outright forward as it may read and sound, you are correct. Many may want to reject it, but your correct.

          It is also to ensure votes for the OBA during the next election, as they are aware that faith in the OBA is falling due to their lack of will to work on behalf of the average Bermudian. Political strategy that was utilized years ago by the UBPoba to ensure votes, is once again back at play, nothing more, and nothing less.

          Well Said Mr. Dunane P. Santucci.

          • Catch A Fire says:

            I wouldn’t expect for you to disagree Betty, now where is Mockingjay, or are you both one and the same? By the way you do remember why this whole mess exists, don’t you! Your wonderful PLP and their half fast written legislation.

        • Black Soil says:

          Wow Duane, so much ignorance, so much hate.

      • serengeti says:

        It’s hard to come across anything more racist than your post Duane.

        Things aren’t being ‘rubber stamped’, Duane. Those ‘born bermudians’ in the immigration dept aren’t doing their jobs, Duane. That’s the problem.

      • Catch A Fire says:

        Duane, I don’t know you personally, but I wonder, where were your parents born, or grandparents. I doubt that like most Bermudians one side or both have roots in other countries. When the Portuguese discovered Bermuda there was nothing. When the first settlers arrived , the only native Bermudians were the wild hogs. We are all paper Bermudians. Thank God we all have roots that extend to other countries as we all know what a limited Gene pool creates.

        • I do not respond to everyone but I thought your question was a valid one worth responding to,so to answer the question, all of my parents and grandparents were all born in Bermuda, but my great Grandfather is from Naples Italy on my fathers side and my great Grandmother on my mother side is from India, and I would love to go and live in Italy or India, but because my great grandparents was born there dont give me the damn right to live there, no more then most Bermudians whose great grandparents came from the West Indies, don’t have the right to think they are entitled to live there.

      • Pete says:

        What`s your Family linage In Bermuda Duane S. ??

  2. Ian says:

    These OBA snakes never cease to amaze… Going to use a private, foreign entity to process the requests of foreigners to get Bermuda status. Wow… But of course it won’t cost us “anything” so its all good… Lets see how the OBA ankle biters come to the defense of this one. Definitely one of the harder slaps in the face. The OBA doesnt even put the energy into hiding its foreigners empowerment agenda at this stage. At least no one can say they’re are surpised at THIS lastest development. Say goodbye to your country Bermuda.

    • Unbelievable says:

      You don’t know what you’re talking about. It appears you don’t understand why people want to be deemed Bermudian.

    • Kangoocar says:

      Ian, you sound like you just ate a huge case of sour grapes??? In my opinion, I think this is a necessary step to speed up the process for those that ( thanks to your plp ) are LEGALLY entitled to Bermuda status!!! Why on earth is it taking so long to give those entitled to their status??? doesnt take a deep thinker to figure out that the CS is the problem and now it is being rectified, congrats OBA for getting on with the job at hand!!!!!

    • hmmm says:

      Putting your ignorance on display for all Bermuda to see Ian.

      SMDH

    • serengeti says:

      What the hell are you talking about.

      Nutcase.

    • what... says:

      I dont see any Bermuda compaines offering to assist at no cost… or would you like to pay the difference out of your pocket?

      • Ian says:

        You’re insulting your own intelligence with that response. Ask yourself why the hell they would do it “pro bono”? Here’s a clue… How many folks are they aligned with that are looking for status? Stop talking to people like they’re stupid!

        • Kangoocar says:

          Let me help you Ian! not only are you xenophobic, you actually are stupid!!!!!

        • Whatever says:

          What a narrow minded hateful person. They’re using this as an opportunity to train staff….BERMUDIAN staff so smoke that in your hate pipe

        • Iain (both eyes open) says:

          Things are actually painfully slow around the local audit firms during the summer months. The majority of the available business comes from the big revenue clients’ with December 31 fiscal year-ends. It’s not surprising that KPMG have offered to assist the government in this situation. Pro bono work (not uncommon in the industry) is just one of the many ways the firm donates to the island. In this case it keeps the staff occupied while gaining some great publicity.

          Hope that helps :)

    • inna says:

      I’d like to say goodbye to you in hopes that you run away but that just isnt going to happpen is it?

      • Ian says:

        Real Bermudians running away from our country is the stuff you people dream about…

        • spoons says:

          Not at all Ian. But if you’re offering….

        • ryan says:

          “Real Bermudians”, Ian. You have no idea.

          So kids born here, now turning 20, they are French, or Somalian?

          People who missed out by weeks and are now in their 30s yet watch Ewart Brown allow guys in from China just to upset the British Govt.

          Seriously you are way out of your depth here with your hateful, xenophobic bile.

          The more we insist on your “Real Bermudians” the more we lose. Widen your mind luddite.

    • Starting Point says:

      Its a shame there is not a test to retain bermuda status as folks like you obviously do not deserve it. All Bermudian staff doing all administrative duties, did your dim witted intellect think that these KPMG folks were the ones making the decision vs. calling to ensure police check, forms were filled out properly lol.

      one massive difference between these OBA ankle bitters and your self is the ability to read it would seem.

      • Ian says:

        Hey “Starting Point” please satisfy my dim witted curiosity by answering the question of why the OBA is rushing to process status applications and why foreign interests are rushing to assist. Its amazing how you seriously expect Bermudians to be blind to whats going on right now. The OBA and their agenda are beyond predictable.

        • Starting Point says:

          LOL if you knew anything about government, this is hardly a rush. There is no change to the practice that has happened with the OBA, the PLP or the UBP for that matter. People apply for status based on the requirements and qualifications, every year, every month, these are processed and done through the system.

          The only difference is that the current administration provides updates to questions asked, thus the Minister reported on the process. The exact same process existed under the PLP, we simply did not ask about it or were told about it.

          So to answer your question, there is no rush, it is the same civil service process that existed prior, the difference is that the PLP created legislation has provided some in a class who previously it was thought could not apply to apply.

          FYI – it is not a choice by the Minister, if someone qualifies and has no criminal or ethical issue to be denied, they are awarded status.

        • Jus' Wonderin' says:

          What agenda is that all knowing one?

          • Ian says:

            The same one that was reduced to writing in the proven-to-exist “UBP to BDA to OBA” strategy report.

          • Betty says:

            Only the #blindfaithfulnessdiehardOBAubp folks do not see the OBA agenda as predictable as Ian has so clearly highlighted……really ……Strategy at work for VOTES only nothing more, nothing less……not difficult to see …..

            • spoons says:

              Okay Betty. Why don’t you and Ian get together and find the missing hundreds of millions of dollars that went missing under the PLP and then I’ll start listening. Until such time, ALL your arguments are puerile. As is the PLP. You just can’t trust them.

              • Ian says:

                Why dont you task your fellow Bermuda-Sell-Outs including the OBA to do the same being its all you go on about and nothing would bring your greater pleasure…

              • Raymond ray says:

                Correct “Spoon” It’s them things that should be of more interest as oppose to what “certain individuals” are allowing to take precedence.
                Sad yes but true:-(

            • ryan says:

              Betty, go away. this isnt basic party politics, this is peoples lives, something you have little concept of. this hurts people.

    • enough says:

      they only get the paperwork in order, they don’t have anything to do with the approval process. PLease learn how it goes before making off. remember there are alot of spouses applying for status after being married for 10 years. you can’t just come i here and apply. please do your homework

    • Unbelievable says:

      Ian, you don’t know what you’re talking about. It appears you don’t understand why people want to be deemed Bermudian.

    • Franklin Jr says:

      you clearly have no idea how accounting partnerships work

  3. TonyC says:

    Are there plans to expand PRCs to those guest workers who have been here for over, say, 10 years?

    • Ian says:

      Look at that, you people are salivating like rabid dogs now huh?!

      • Charlly X says:

        As minister Richards said it ” there is no free lunch ” ! This group in government is not truthful . They have ulterior motives and by the time most figure it out it. Will be to late . After The Jet Gate Crap They Can’t Be Trusted !!!!

    • Onion says:

      No.

  4. We Need to Pay Attention says:

    I knew this was going to come. Future predictions 10,000 foreign nationals before the next general election. We need to protect our country.

    • Unbelievable says:

      Do you actually believe what you say? 10,000 people deemed Bermudian before 2017/2018?

      Get real.

    • ChaBoy says:

      We also need money.

    • Terry says:

      “Pay attention”. Have a rum.
      Your homophobic like many.
      Ask your ‘Bredrin’ that have left and gone to England to live on the dol.

      I give up.

    • inna says:

      PLP is that you?!

    • High Road says:

      Paranoia runs high today

    • Unbelievable says:

      Do you actually believe what you say? 10,000 people deemed Bermudian before 2017/2018?

      Get real for once.

    • serengeti says:

      Only 10,000? Why not make it 20,000? Or 30,000? If you’re tell a stupid lie, why not tell a bigger one?

  5. San George says:

    More people mate – we have access capacity; it’s just business.

    Quo Fata Ferunt

  6. flikel says:

    Interesting.

    My analysis :

    (1) Get those status applications sorted asap…and consequently, lock up those votes asap. Don’t upset ‘the base’ by starting commercial immigration before giving them status first.

    (2) Get moving with commercial immigration as soon as status situation sorted out.

    (3) Next election, we will see many, many more voters..all likely to vote OBA (which is why they are speeding through with this).

    Let’s be honest, political parties do their homework and analysis. They know which demographic is likely to vote their way.

  7. San George says:

    More people mate – we have excess capacity; it’s just business.

    Quo Fata Ferunt

  8. HarryButtle says:

    Sounds like some people think the OBA is going to somehow corrupt the process by placing these people at immigration temporarily. It never ceases to amaze me what people “think” and what reality “is”. They have a responsibility to deal with these 700 (not 10000) applications in a timely manner and since the immigration department isn’t capable of that workload, they are accepting help from Bermudian secondees.

    The process will still be the same, the due diligence will still be the same, ultimately the decision is the chief immigration officer and their panel. So nothing to see here except putting on extra manpower to plug through the time consuming process of getting the papers in order.

  9. watching says:

    Why not just hire some temp staff for immigration office to process them? At least that would give income to 6 more people. WHy do they need to come from an accounting firm?

    • brigadooner says:

      Hardworking, Clever, Free.

    • Onion says:

      Because the accounting firm is paying for them.

      • Raymond ray says:

        “Why not just hire some temp staff for immigration office to process them? At least that would give income to 6 more people. Why do they need to come from an accounting firm?”
        What kind of silly suggestion is that? I agree with Onion…
        “Because the accounting firm is paying for them.” Not Government.

    • SMH says:

      no sense of entitlement and no need to use up 14 weeks sick leave and walk off the job in the event of a strike. Makes sense to me

    • HarryButtle says:

      Because audit secondees are perfect for the job. They already have the skills to do the detail work without having to worry about training, accuracy or the basic skills to get the job done.

  10. Dreadlocks says:

    Give those qualified status.We need people so we can get back to work!

  11. NCM says:

    Let’s not forget that it was the PLP’s amendment to the Act which enabled these PRCs to apply for status and there is nothing the OBA can do about it. These people have been living, working and contributing to Bermuda for many years. And how do people know how they will vote?

    Stop your whining and, dare I say it, xenophobic rants and stop thinking Bermudians are somehow special. We all came from somewhere…

    • Unbelievable says:

      Oh yeah, people forget that the PLP created the loophole, the OBA tried to stop the loophole but the courts struck it down.

      Funny that.

    • Betty says:

      Who wants Status under the false pretense of a loophole……not a good way to receive it in an honest manner…thus folks have received a stolen sense of belonging to Bermuda, and it will always be thought in this way by many……..

      • James says:

        Explain how something *written into law* with clear instructions is a “loophole?” Thanks.

        • Ian says:

          Explain how the intent of PRC legislation was not clear? In the same breath explain whether it was meant to facilitate sneaky, backdoor access to Bermuda status. And you people really believe that even with time the masses of REAL Bermudians will see things through your ridiculous crap-tinted lenses.

      • A Furbert says:

        Betty, I think you might find the younger generations (Im assuming you are at least 65+, due to your terrible attitude, your unwillingness to learn to debate, and your thoughtless, infantile racial slurs) disagree with most things you say.

        “A stolen sense of belonging”??? Go write a Mills and Boon novel FFS. Move over and let the younger, more intelligent Bermudians speak for once. And if you learn to listen you might actually realise how very very wrong you are.

  12. Alvin Williams says:

    The OBA’s not so secret weapon to win the next election; so I would guess they do not want to depend on the black surrogate or a secret plan to marshal the black vote.

    • hmmm says:

      It was the PLP who created this loophole….are you saying it was a PLP plan all along?

      • Unbelievable says:

        Alvin can’t criticise the PLP. He’d be kicked out if he did.

      • Ian says:

        lol.. so now its a loophole. love how you jokers “blame” the PLP for the OBAs willingness to capitalize on BACK DOOR access to status for PRCs through a judge’s significantly subjective interpretation of policy and subsequent ruling. You people are delusion and your OBA government will go down as history’s biggest sell out to Bermuda and REAL Bermudians…

    • Huh says:

      And the incompetent PLP’s not so secret plan to destroy the Bermuda economy was, well they just never had a plan, a clue, except spend more, borrow more, give away more, travel more, eat more, entertain more, hire more, discuss more, play cards more……..

    • enough says:

      so you’re saying all satus application holders are white.

    • Sickofantz says:

      The OBA have about half the black vote already otherwise theywouldn’t be in power Alvin!

    • RvW says:

      Alvin, another 65+ commenter, you sound like my grandpa!

      Get with it big boy! People like each other these days, no more hate please!

  13. Rather watch paint dry says:

    At their current rate of work (30 applications processed since February or 1 application every 4 days) it would take about 111 years to process 10,000 applications. Or to put it another way – assuming it takes 16 hours for paint to dry, you could sit and watch paint dry 6 times before 1 application is processed. You’re in no danger. Work seems pathetically slow. My application is in there somewhere.

    • Trulytruly says:

      Well it seems under the new process the remaining 600 will take 10 weeks to complete, or thereabouts. Great idea all around. The CPA trainees get practical and meaningful work experience and Bermuda gets the backlog of applications cleared. Win win. At least even the plp have backed away from wanting to deny those PRCs that are eligible the security of status. As a Bermudian I welcome them as most do.

  14. Jo Blo says:

    To those chirping up about status being granted, look at that number. 700 isnt exactly the kind of figure that guarantees an election win is it? Not everything that happens in life is part of a conspiracy theory.

    • sswhite says:

      Well the last election came down to 1731 votes. Not the “landslide victory the OBA will have everyone believe…hence why they need to enlarge their base to stave off the thousands of blacks that didn’t vote for the PLP due to their disgust with the party at the time. They will not be making that mistake again… so I hear.

      • Unbelievable says:

        The OBA have never said anything about a landslide at the 2012 election nor believed it.

    • mixitup says:

      We heard this same thing in the 60′s when they gave status to thousands…So much so and so much to those of European Decent that the white population of status Bermudians actually exceeds those of born white Bermudians…and you wonder why people are sceptical?

  15. Just a matter of time says:

    That’s a LOT of swing voting power for marginal seats! The OBA gerrymandering on steroids will be pushed harder than ever now before 2017. Airport development. AC35. Now this. All to coincide with the election year strategically. Stay awake people!

    • Unbelievable says:

      You mean like when Wayne Furbert mad a big stink about the St George’s hotel being built in summer 2012?

      Yes, stay awake.

    • SMH says:

      Don’t you just hate it when politicians create jobs and turn and economy around? Idjit

    • Unbelievable says:

      And further more…AC35 was not brought here because the OBA brought it here. It’s a sporting event that happens every 4 years – it dates back to the 1800s. See how that works? It has nothing to do with the next election.

      Talk about rampant paranoia.

  16. Silence Do Good says:

    Here we go again with all the rants and raves for immigration and party politics. Just remember that the individuals we are ranting and raving against are people that we have known for well over 20 years. Their children play with our children and have grown with them; they are our neighbors, colleagues at work, part of our churches and social groups.

    Club mentally is beautiful thing to watch happen. Those in the club want to exclude others from joining the club even though at one point they were welcomed to join the club themselves. I understand it is about club resources and the adding and taking away of such. The question is: What have you personally added that you now fear others will take away. These individual have already added to our culture as you did yourself? Yes, they will occupy land and have jobs as you do, but being a PRC they already had that right. The only right that we fear is now these individual have a voice as we do in voting for representation that they feel best meets their needs as we do ourselves.

    I remember two elections when the people of Bermuda voted profoundly for change from political parties that was both doing the country serious harm. Do you believe these vested PRC’s will vote any different from you or I when they see their country hurting?

    • Seascape says:

      I have no problem with people getting status as long as they stay here. Some of them just want get PRC or Status and then move back to their countries. There are some Portuguese people that did that and they went back to the Azores.

      • rock says:

        If they leave the country, then why is it a problem?

  17. ron,b says:

    more jobs gone

    • Trulytruly says:

      They already have jobs. No jobs have gone anywhere.

    • SMH says:

      Huh? How are more jobs going to be gone with the PRCs already have the right to work here? Please stop lying in order to support your scare mongering. What next? PRC’s regularly eat Bermudian children for breakfast?

    • Amazed says:

      @Ron,b They already have jobs. They have been in Bermuda for the past 20 something years!!! These are not people who have just arrived. They have lived here for quite some time. They have contributed to the Bermuda economy. Their kids born and schooled in Bermuda etc. sigh

    • A Furbert says:

      Bahahahahahahahahahahaha. why, are these PRCS coming for your aceboys job pumping gas??

  18. Frankie says:

    Would love to know just what is required to get Status, and how much it costs.

    is it an annual thing?

    Born on the rock but my mother was against us getting status although my dad wanted it for us. I havent been home in 30+ years

  19. campervan says:

    fantastic.
    Get them signed up.

    It costs a million dollars a year to have 4 people on dialysis.
    Our real estate situation without new home buyers is a house of cards.
    Our civil service pensions will break us soon without increasing pop.

    Whether you like it or not, we need new blood or we will bleed out.

    • Portia says:

      But I thought they weren’t “new blood” but people who had been living and working on the Island for years and that this policy was not geared towards population increase?

  20. Melinda says:

    Ummmm Rob- these people are already here have been since the 80′s. Think somehow now there going to take jobs? Are you kidding me?

  21. uncommon says:

    I was told privately by someone senior in the Immigration Department that they are 11-12 months behind on processing Status paperwork and that my application would be added to the pile.

    Being Bermudian by birthright but unable to do anything (no passport, unable to apply for a job etc) for 12 months because of this backlog is pretty unacceptable… Even waiting a month would be extreme in my opinion.

    • HarryButtle says:

      That’s not the case. I believe that immigration have the 20(B)2b applications in a different pile. Born Bermudians still get priority over PRC applicants because the process is simpler. If you were born Bermudian you should already have the right to a passport by citizenship (British). You may not have “status” per se but that is a formality otherwise.

      Also if you have a compelling case you can be granted a work permit until your status comes through. So your argument is a bit thin if you truly have a claim to Bermuda status.

      • uncommon says:

        Unfortunately I spent in the neighborhood of 16 hours in Immigration over the course of a week trying to get my Bermudian Citizenship / Status sorted out.

        Believe me, everything I stated is directly from the employees working in Immigration. It is truly a 12 month wait and they are doing it 1st come, 1st serve.

  22. clearasmud says:

    I dont care what excuse they use for having this work done by a private firm it is not apporpriate. The Government is the largest employer in the Country and a PS already has the authority to move any staff within his ministry temporarily to assist so that is what should have happened. There are no “free” lunches!

  23. Bermyman says:

    Nice, Get them all Approved ASAP and then relocate them to PLP held constituencies. That’s the conspiracy Right!

    • HarryButtle says:

      LOLOLOLOLOLOL! Yep I’m going to move because the OBA told me to move. Yep I’ll get right on that!

  24. Expat says:

    At the potential expense of being pilloried by some of our regular posters I’d like to tell our story because I think we are typical of the LTR’s who have applied for status. My wife and I have lived and worked in Bermuda for over forty years, our children are Bermudian and our grand children are Bermudian. We have not taken jobs from Bermudians, if fact we have created many jobs over the years by bringing business to the Island and trained many Bermudians, (one of which is one of our current members of parliament). Is it unreasonable that after all this time we want to belong to the Island in all respects? Yes, we could go back to our original countries but we have no wish to, this has been our home for the majority of our lives and will be for the remainder because our family and our lives are intertwined with the fabric of this beautiful place. We are not unique, those 700 applicants all have their own stories and many will be similar to ours. We are all here, we are already part of the society that is Bermuda, we are not taking jobs from Bermudians, we are not putting Bermudians on the street by buying up all the homes. So please think before you make those hurtful comments and quote ridiculous statistics. We are Bermudians in everything but the stamp in our passports.

    With regard to the Immigration dept., our applications were filed over a year ago, I think anyone would agree that a year is far too long to wait.

    • Kangoocar says:

      Thank you ” expat ” for sharing your story, and I only hope this latest move by Min Fahy will speed up the paperwork you deserve!!! Don’t for one second be bothered by the xenophobic’s on these blogs, they are what caused all the financial hardships in this island today, and their opinions should only be considered as irrelevant!!!!

    • Ringmaster says:

      It is probable that many of the comments made here by the “anti” brigade are made by people who themselves are status Bermudians. Maybe born here, but parents came from the South. All Bermudians are status, there is no such thing as a Bermuda citizen.

  25. feel the love says:

    The ignorance and downright lies in the majority of these posts are beyond belief. They must be guzzling that green tea.

    I need a rum, maybe two!

    • SMH says:

      You say majority but the reality is there’s only Ian, Mockingjay and Just a matter of time. All of which I highly suspect are either the same person or three paid PLP bloggers sitting at Alaska Hall sipping green tea all day…

  26. ATLian says:

    Someone can have my status! Just work out an arrangement for me with USA immigration! I want my green card!! LOL!

    • Kangoocar says:

      @ATLian, if you actually knew what having a green card really means, I think you would actually reconsider, let me help you!!! The way Disney World is in Orlando, is NOT the way it really is in the US!!!!

  27. Voter says:

    Move them all to the marginals so the OBA will definitely win the next election.lets keep a good govt in power!

  28. Just a matter of time says:

    @Unbelievable: “And further more…AC35 was not brought here because the OBA brought it here. It’s a sporting event that happens every 4 years – it dates back to the 1800s. See how that works? It has nothing to do with the next election.”

    Ha Ha! You’re funny…!