Editorial
The Plightto Citizenship
As we understand it, the powers that bein Government have been meeting but have had only modest progresson how many will have the nod by the Immigration Board regardingthe serious issues central to enlargement of the Cayman Islandspopulation, which involve hard questions of who should be givengrants of Caymanian Status, how many and when.
From what we hear, there appears to be verylittle success in breaking the myth, creating a deadlock overhow the people who have come to work and live here can be regardedas assets, without wanting to take over the modest traditionsto this peaceful nation.
Part of the required growth necessary forthese islands to re-capture the success it once knew is to avoidthe paranoia displayed in Caymanians' own defense initiative,and blocked by politics in an effort to retain votes, albeit atthe expense of long-term growth, which cannot be achieved withoutpeople.
The complications and interlocking interestsof even the most modest citizen comes into play, even before thecountry has a chance to be enlarged.
There are at least 150 various nationalitiesrepresented here, and there is no way that they can ever becomea majority to overrule Caymanians, even if they all banded together.
The number of long term residents and workpermit holders who would like to sign on as citizens could makethe difference that something seriously beneficial could happenin Cayman, if they are allowed to become part of the answer tothe economic problem.
Immigration emerges as a central issue atjust about every gathering of non-Caymanians. If this was to beremoved, there will be a far more positive outlook stemming fromdiscussions which could be focused instead on what are great buyson property and business deals rather than the fear of whetheror not long-term residents and work permit holders and their familieswould be allowed to live here.
After so many years of negotiations as towhat is the right thing to do, one would believe that by now theremust be some form of consensus reached on the immigration issueof Caymanian Status.
The leaders of this country should agreeto conclude agreements more rapidly in connection with immigration,bearing in mind that without such position, future negotiationswith investors and their countries that seek closer relationswith Cayman will continue to view our country as unreceptive interms of planning for future spending and development.
The encouraging words of the Leader of GovernmentBusiness, the Hon. McKeeva Bush a couple of months ago that theGovernment is looking forward to conclude many of the unresolvedissues regarding Immigration must bode well.
In fact, many Caymanians themselves aresaying that enlargement is a necessity, insisting now that theycannot afford to lose the business climate to which they havebecome accustomed.
While the current leaders are trying tomodernise and harmonize their immigration policies, they shouldnot ignore the economic ramifications of a reducing population.The focus should therefore be to deal seriously with far morepopular concerns: the uncontrolled economic decline, crime, andmanipulated income by non-Caymanians because Caymanians do nothave the skills required to hold their own.
Many other places in the Caribbean are beginningto rebound from their own economic plight. This has been possiblebecause they have a population base on which they can rely uponto fill jobs. In Cayman, we must train those who have been maderedundant.
There is every reason to believe that thiseconomy has just about hit the bottom. With this in mind, it ishoped that many lessons have been learned and that we will cherishthe blessings we have in our own resources of our people those who can call themselves true born and others who have contributedby their own hard work and presence to make the Cayman Islandswhat it has become renowned to be a never ending successstory.