Philipsburg: ---- Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba has issued a call to all employers who have undocumented workers working for them to assist those workers so that they can comply with the requirements of the Brooks Tower Accord. Minister Jacoba told members of the media on Saturday that so far the team handling the documents for the Brooks Tower permit only saw about two employers who came forward to assist their workers in getting legalized.
The Minister reminded the employers that they would not face any type of sanctions by having undocumented workers during this period, she said this process is a means of helping those people who contributed to society to become legal. Jacoba said even the employers would get up to one year to straighten their paperwork. She said while everyone is saying that they should not deport all the undocumented workers because of the economic crisis, these undocumented people she said must come forward and assist them to legalize their status. “I am urging the employers to assist their illegal workers, assist them by filling out the application forms” said Jacoba.
Minister Jacoba also made clear that while she is hearing that the implementation of the Brooks Tower Accord is a hoax, she said that is far from the case and persons may be able to pick up their BT permit as soon as next week. “Right now I have ordered the Lt. Governors of all the islands to stop all organized controls so that the undocumented can go to the Immigration and Naturalization service and register.” The office she said would not open its doors on November 11 since it is a public holiday but work would continue as normal until December 15th, which is the last day to submit applications for the BT permit.
Minister Jacoba said while this process is not intended for persons who had permits before and was recently turned down, she said she is willing to intervene in these cases, even though these people can appeal the decision. Applicants whose applications were turned down or rejected via the normal procedure can send a petition to the Minister who would then look into their cases. That petition must also be submitted to the office that is handling the BT permits on AT Illidge Road.
Minister Jacoba said she also called on all undocumented workers living on St. Maarten to come out an register for the BT permit, she said this is an opportunity for them to become legal.
Jacoba said on November 3 there were about 400 to 500 persons who showed up at the Immigration and Naturalization office to register. “Most of those people just came to get information, since many of them did not fully understand what they needed to do. Since then some changes were made to the process and the team handling the BT saw about 150 to 170 persons per day.” Even though the process is working smoothly many of the persons, seeking to register did not have all that is required to register for the BT permit. Minister Jacoba said while they received 495 persons last week only 134 of them had a complete dossier to request for the BT permit. She said the number are far below their expectations and is urging the undocumented to capitalize on this opportunity now.
Jacoba said because of this they enlisted the help of the various consulates whom they are asking to inform their compatriots they need to have all of the requirements before they can register. On Monday persons, speaking Creole or Patwa would have the opportunity to get speedy assistance since there would be booklets and forms in that language said the Minister. She explained that the lack of the Creole translators has been one of their major hindrances during this past week on all the islands.
The Minister is urging all undocumented persons going to register for the BT permit to make sure they fill out the application forms and to take along all that is required for them to have the BT permits. She said there are no conditions on the BT permit and working permits. Persons that apply for the BT permit can have that permit without the working permit.
Applicants who did not meet the requirements she said are given the opportunity to return with all that is needed. Jacoba said that right now the pre-screening is done at AT Illidge Road while the actual processing of the permits is done at the back office of the Philipsburg Police Station. Jacoba said she promised to assist the undocumented workers since everyone in someway used these people. “Right now I am hearing that people are charging as much as $20 to fill out the forms. This is clear that we are using the undocumented and we have to do things correctly from now by legalizing them.” The Minister said persons who have internet services can also register through the website www.withyourpermission.an that has the forms in four languages.
Junior Minister Ernie Simmons said while they are working hard on getting this registration done they are also revising the procedure on a daily basis based on their daily experiences. He said the motive is to make sure they offer the necessary services to the undocumented workers who are trying to legalize themselves.
Another opportunity the Minister said would be given to the recipients of the BT can also travel to their country to get all necessary documents so they can apply for their regular permits. “When these people get all the documents they need to apply normally they could apply for their permits immediately and not when the permit expired.” Jacoba explained.
Also at the press conference was Senator Rudolph Samuel who also called on the employers and the undocumented to register for the BT permit. Samuel said there is constant talk of having a new status but he when governing they need to know who they are representing. Samuel said no one can govern properly if they do not know where and who are the people and the amount of the population. He said there is also constant talk about legalizing the undocumented, and he felt this is the opportunity and the people need to make use of it. As for those media outlets that are, telling people not to register is rather unfair. He said telling the people not to register is not giving these undocumented a fair chance. Samuel also encouraged the employers to assist their workers to register since being illegal hinders several aspects of the community such as health care, social and education issues.