Bird attacks immigration policy

The Opposition Leader, Lester Bird has attacked the immigration policy of the ruling Baldwin Spencer administration over its treatment of some CARICOM nationals, in particular Guyanese and Jamaicans.



The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ALP) leader has expressed concern over what he called the appalling expulsion recently of a Jamaican woman who was eight months pregnant and a Guyanese woman who had been in Antigua for 15 years.



Bird claims that neither of the women had a criminal record, and as a result there can be no justification for their deportation.



The ALP leader further branded the government’s immigration policy as clandestine and heartless.



Bird said he also received reports of the homes of CARICOM nationals being raided in the middle of the night and people being dragged away and put on planes out of the country without due process.



He further charged that the ruling United Progressive Party government has been systematically victimising CARICOM nationals, who have been making a valid contribution to the country’s economy.