Fifty-three Guyanese were deported from Barbados since the announcement of that country's immigration policy, according to local immigration records, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett has disclosed.

Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson, at the weekend, had blasted reports on the various criticisms being levelled against his government's new policy. And for the first time, he gave statistics to support his side. However, the figure he gave - four Guyanese deported - contrasts sharply with immigration figures here.

Rodrigues-Birkett in a brief interview with Stabroek News yesterday said she had received figures from the immigration department which showed that for the month of May, 29 persons were deported from Barbados. Thompson announced his policy on May 5. And for June, so far, the foreign minister said, 24 Guyanese have been deported from the island.

He added that the granting of an amnesty was something government was not under an obligation to do, and people had to comply with the law.

'Rounding up' illegal immigrants

Barbados Health Minister, Donville Inniss, dismissed complaints that authorities were "rounding up" illegal immigrants.

"If you are living in a country illegally and it is the determination of the immigration office that you are to be deported, what are we to do?" he questioned rhetorically, "give you a phone call and tell you that we are coming for you next Thursday at 2 a.m.? You do not make an appointment with an individual to deport them."

Arguing in favour of the policy, he also said he did not hear anyone complaining when Barbadians were deported from the United States, Britain or Canada after being there illegally or committing other crimes. He added that in many of those cases, Barbadians were given their belongings in a plastic bag and sent on their way.

"Our approach has been far more humane. There is not an ounce of inhumanity in what we are doing, and Barbadians who share these views need to get up and speak up about it. It is a vocal minority criticising this policy and it is their right to criticise," he told the Nation newspaper.

Further, the health minister charged, "What other Caribbean leaders should do is mind their own business in respect of this matter. They should do like Barbados and fix their economies and get them to the point where their citizens do not feel the need to run away."

The immigration policy and its implementation is something CARICOM heads of government will deal with when they meet in Guyana later this week.