BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Federation’s political leader Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris is waiting to see if United States President Donald Trump would follow through with one of his campaign promises to have illegal immigrants deported.
The talk of deportation has had many governments in the region pondering what effects it could have on their country, as many are dealing with high crime problems.
Dr. Harris during, his press conference yesterday (Feb. 1), pointed out that it is a challenge that the country would confront “if and when we get there”.
“We are hopeful that there is no need for alarm with respect to deportation at this time,” Dr. Harris said.
Despite that being one of the major issues on the front burner for regional governments, Dr. Harris indicated that they are also monitoring the evolving policies in Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“At this particular moment in time, indeed up to today (yesterday), I engaged my Foreign Minister to get his own sense of what is the position of the government at this time.
“And he advised me, and I am so inclined to believe, that we ought not to worry [about] that at this particular juncture,” explained Dr. Harris.
The Prime Minister stressed that “there is no issue” and “no new issue” arising that is of consequence to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis; and that there is no need for alarm.
“I am therefore not going to be calling wolf in relation to any matter; it would be premature. The government is a new government, and its policy every day…is evolving.”
Resultantly, PM Harris noted that the government would be monitoring the situation and it would be wise to avoid unduly getting themselves “caught up in broader issues”.
Against that backdrop, he indicated that it is an evolving situation that has not had an impact on St. Kitts and Nevis.
The new United States President has been talking tough on immigration during the run-up to the November 2016 Elections and since taking office a few weeks ago, he began implementing a number of policies aimed at immigrants.
Though none of his Executive Orders have directly affected Caribbean immigrants, there are genuine concerns over the tough talk.
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