Editorial
For the Economy to Growso too must the Population
Perhaps more so than many of its Caribbeanneighbours, the Cayman Islands is severely impacted by globalevents and initiatives which emerge from international forums.
This is so in large measure because of themulti-national nature of the Caymanian society, with more than100 different nationalities being represented here.
In addition, the two pillars of the economyare heavily dependent on, and are greatly influenced by, foreigncomponents in the form of tourism and financial services.
Anyone who understands the dynamics of theCaymanian society would therefore be fully appreciative of thefact that the institutions such as the Immigration Departmentwhich facilitate foreign investment or foreign entry to the CaymanIslands, wield immense power.
For all intents and purposes the buck stopswith them.
Having said that, a recent article in theNew York Times brought into sharp focus the impact which the legitimateactions of decision makers can have on a country's economy andits international image.
The article stated that the slowdown inthe issuing of American visas to foreigners is disrupting livesin the United States and abroad. It also quoted government officialsand advocates for immigrants as saying that this action is interferingwith scientific research and business deals, forcing some peopleto postpone medical treatment and weddings and stranding othersaway from their homelands.
This was all part of sweeping changes ingovernment rules after the attacks of September 11 last year.
Secretary of State, Colin Powell, recentlyvoiced concern about the delays in a private meeting with lawmakers,but the net effect of this action was succinctly pronounced bya Mr. Jonathan Ginsburg, a Virginia immigration lawyer who wasbriefed by consular officials. He said the cumulative effect ofall these measures is to discourage people from coming to theUnited States.
No one is trying to compare the Cayman Islandsor its Immigration officials with those in the United States.
In fact, if truth be told, the large numbersof expatriates who reside and work in the Cayman Islands are,to be frank, testimony to the graciousness of officialdom in thiscountry. All countries in the world reserve the right to permitor deny any foreigner entry.
However, the US Immigration experience outlinedabove can serve as a classic guide to the Cayman Islands of whatnot to do.
While it is necessary and commendable thatauthorities exercise due diligence in crucial areas such as grantingof visas and permits, they must simultaneously ensure that theiractions do not diverge from Government's policies and/or the nationalgood.
That is why in the case of the Cayman Islands,certain decision makers should listen carefully to the "noisein the market" with respect to the proposed roll-over policy,and the vexing issue of the granting of Caymanian status and residencywith the right to work.
What some people in the United States seemnot to realise is that many people in the Caribbean no longerview America as the so-called "land of opportunity",as generations before did.
People nowadays have more, and in many cases,better and safer options, opportunities for employment, residence,investments and holidays than in the United States.
What the US is doing, by virtue of its tightenedvisa policy, is shooting itself in the foot.
To change that debilitating attitude isa challenge for national planners.
It is also too costly a mistake for countrieslike the Cayman Islands to make.