Bermuda’s shadow home affairs minister Sylvan Richards has predicted the Government will be compelled to grant Bermudian status to long-term residents of the island.
Mr Richards, made this prediction in the House of Assembly in Hamilton on Friday evening in a speech that covered a wide range of issues including tax reform and the economy. He was also of the opinion that the Government would offer commercial immigration to wealthy foreigners.
Citing the falling population numbers in Bermuda, Mr Richards noted that the government had very real challenges to overcome, including finding a mechanism to stem the exodus of residents.
Premier David Burt disputed claims from the opposition that the issue of immigration was controversial, and said it was crucial to have a bipartisan immigration reform process. Walton Brown, who was recently removed as Minister of Home Affairs, gave an update on the work being done on immigration reform stating the government’s priority was the harmonisation of “mixed status” families.
