Caymanian Status Board releases names of 621 recipients

Tuesday, September 7, 2004

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Reader comments:

• When I first moved here to these wonderful Islands it was 5 or 7 years before you could apply for Status and none were given to any of those pesky "expats". If as an expat you got close your work permit would not be approved (in some cases) but it was made clear at Immigration, you don't even think about it! You would not get it.
  
  Then ten years became the golden number before you could think about it. Think about not being a second class citizen or a cringing dog like indentured servant to whomever held your work permit and your life. As I approached that 10 year mark in this beautiful country I wondered what would happen.
  
  One year later a big surprise, it looked like the Mariel boatlift at the police station - hundreds of random people or people with "connections" were given status as if it were a drink of water to a stranger on a hot day! I didn't believe it. I called the lawyer I was dealing with for my Status quest, they assured me it was a joke and that is not how things are done in the Cayman Islands, that my best move would be to keep paying them copiously and they would take care of it all the "right way”.
  
  Well many days, and many dollars later after receiving no good news. I met some of the lucky ones - the new Caymanians, here for one or two years. Some here more, some less. People in Northward, or off the island. People with no job and no plans. It seemed that no one I met had been required to meet any of the standards I was required to meet. Some had not had to jump through any hoops at all.
  
  I met a helper who had been here less than 6 months. She did not know that there were three Cayman Islands. I assured her there were three and she was indeed a status holder and now a citizen of all three - they were now her islands. She was now a happy Caymanian. Everyone is happy now! Happy, happy, let's all be happy. Various government officials, politicians and newspapers put a positive spin on it. Let’s all be happy and positive. Happy, happy, you be happy, we be happy, happiness throughout the land.
  
  I would love to be happy, but I am unhappy. I am still a second class citizen that owns land and a small business that has been here more than 11 years with a clean police record and community service. I love and respect these islands. I love the heritage, the customs, food and the Cayman way.
  
  My comment: How can you apply a law to some rigidly, not at all to others? Do it all behind closed doors. Offer no recourse or chance of appeal. Then accept 621 with open arms and cast out the rest. And say it is all finished and done fairly. What about us? What about the rest of us that have to sweat and squirm wondering if our expensive work permit will get approved and we can live another year. Most of all how can anyone say it is at all JUST - Anonymous

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