'Operation Koetai’

Guyana has made a mockery of its immigartion laws by attempting to deport a large group of mermons. That is agreed and accepted by most right thinking Guyanese. Guyanese throughout the Caribbean have been the constant target for deportation and are subjected on a regular basis to additional immigration scrutiny especially in Barbados and Antigua. Perhaps because these two islands are bursting with expatraite Guyanese, a large percentage working and living illegally.

It was only a matter of time before other Caribbean countries jump on their band wagon and started to deport Guyanese living and working illegally in their jurisdiction. Suriname has done so under "Operation Koetai". Bahamas has repeatedly held immigration sweeps which net Guyanese literally. Bahamas employs a less humane method to capture illegal migrants, but it depends on which side of the argument you stand. Guns and batons are hardly used in the Bahamas. Instead, they use large nets and often pounce on unsuspecting aliens like dog catchers.

We expect immigration operations to launched in St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Grenada and Trinidad. Guyanese continue to be driven out by political unrest and victimisation; insecurity and crime; lack of economic oppertunties and vision of the Government; and rampant corruption condoned by those in authority. Those elected are running around chatting about stark developments, yet Guyana is seen externally hovering above Haiti, considered the poorest country in the hemisphere. Until, the Government come to grips and accept the realities that confront this nation, Guyanese will continue to find ways to make hay in other countries. Life's lessons are simple and it teaches that for you to fix a problem, you must first find it.

There is a sense of hopelessness and dispair with a large percentage of citizens craving for an Obama-type leader to enter the fray. Faced with so many internal struggles, the Government of the day acted like morons when they jumped on those mormons who preach peace, love and togetherness.

We need an immigration policy that works better than the bandaid policies that have come on stream since 1992.