Minister Derrick Burgess has rebuffed LOAB (Land Opportunities for All Bermudians), the group objecting against changes in the Immigration Act which make it harder for Bermudians married to non-Bermudians to own property.
Government says the law is necessary to protect future generations as an alarming 37% of the Bermudian landmass is now owned by non-Bermudians. However, the Minister admits that Government does not know what proportion of that 37% is made up of Bermudian/non-Bermudian couples (who are a solid part of Bermuda’s future and should not be confused with foreign landowners with no other local ties). Government has not been forthcoming on the number of Bermudians who are married to non-Bermudians either.
Laws need to be founded on fact, not anecdote!
The LOAB spokesperson said “Now is the time for people to make a lot of noise if they want to see some change. If there is silence, the law will remain in place and the rights of many Bermudians, now and in the future, will continue to be restricted. We will not stop until we convince whoever the Government will be going forward, that they cannot continue to treat Bermudians married to foreigners like second class citizens.”
Ironically, the move comes at a time when Government is sanctioning more property than ever to be sold to foreign non-resident buyers, through the large enclaves (both existing and planned) at Belmont, Newstead, Tuckers Point, Club Med, and Southlands.
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