Minister of Justice.
Without a doubt, your portfolio as Minister of Justice of St. Maarten is one of the most challenging and complicated of all in Government.
That is simply the case because, you inherited an immigration situation, which is extremely complex and which touches every sector and aspect of our community.
We also are of the opinion, that based on your very frank and professional approach, you should be capable of appreciating creative and 'out of the box' solutions to our immigration nightmare.
Clearly, the immigration challenge is a consequence of 'globalization', a process in which the movement of people in search of employment, has become a world-wide phenomenon.
One of the biggest challenges of the immigration issue, is that it is constituted of 'forces', which are, in and of themselves opposing in nature.
On the one hand, there is the natural desire of the host- or native population to preserve itself and thus to resist any threats to its way of life and its existence.
Consequently, uncontrolled levels of immigration have the potential to eventually result in xenophobia and to very undesired social confrontations.
On the other side of the immigration-equation, immigrants have certain social and infra-structural needs, as well as the legitimate need to have their human-rights protected.
Together, these opposing forces present any Government and community with an extremely delicate socioeconomic equilibrium.
Walking this tight-rope requires constant fine-tuning/adjustments.
This equilibrium can only be maintained, if any (major-)adjustment is off-set or compensated on the other side of the equation.
Now, what have we seen on the 'Friendly island' over the years ?
The host-population's side of the equation has systematically been ignored, eroded.
Not only by the explosive numbers of immigrants, but also by the birth-rate of these immigrants versus that of the native population.
Already, in that sense the 'socioeconomic scale' has gone completely 'berserk'
To make matters even worse for the natives, the lawlessness of immigrants has been 'rewarded' in various ways and it never seems to end.
Look at the very unfair competition of the 'gypsy' transportation versus that of the legal one.
What about compulsory education forcing extra expenses on the people of the land and in fact serving as a 'revolving door' for more illegals to enter the island.
Now the latest, BTA-disaster or conundrum.
It is in fact, the umpteenth form of 'amnesty' for illegals and probably not the last one either !
From the media and by just listening to the not so 'coded' message in your public statements, it is very clear that you will not deport those who are still illegal on the island, after all these chances.
For the record, their stay on the island now, according to laws of the land, is simply illegal. meaning that they should be deported.
Now, imagine, that as in the past, you once again intend to 'bend backwards' to that extent, that all those people who broke our immigration and other laws, will be rewarded by being allowed to stay here on the island.
The consequences are clear.
Once allowed to stay here, their 'children producing machinery' will again go into high gear, producing so many more 'born-here' children, only to hold us hostage in the future - again.
With limited space in schools, in the workforce etc., that can only lead to a life in crime and it all again comes 'full-circle'.
The point I am making here, Mr. Minister, is that this time, the 'scale' will not only tip too much to the disadvantage of the native St. Martin people, it might well completely break the scale, rendering our demise completely irreversible.
I hope you get the 'picture' and realize that it is not an acceptable one for the people of this land.
Therefore, the time has now come, to start taking care of the concerns, rights of we the native, indigenous St. Martin people.
And please, do not use any lame excuse, because if Government can bend backwards and reward illegal immigrants by giving them the same rights as us, then there is absolutely no reason not to finally - finally take care of us.
The consequences of not being fair to the St. Martin people whose heritage is anchored right here on this island, will come at a very high price, sooner or later.
So, while, we do not fundamentally disagree with you 'regulating' the rights of illegal immigrants, we absolutely expect you to bring balance, by making sure that for the first time in modern history, 'Charity starts at home'. for St. Martiners.
Nothing less will 'cut it'.
Respect,
Drs. Leopold JAMES