Dear Editor,

Barbados is not flinching and remains firm in its quest to expel undocumented Guy-anese immigrants. Potentially, there are thousands of Guy-anese who will likely be forced to return to their homeland by the end of the year. Barring divine intervention, this exodus from Barbados is inevitable. Other Caribbean nations may embark on similar expulsion tactics in the near future. The question now is what plans has the  Govern-ment of Guyana put in place for the coming influx? The massive throng of returning Guyanese will bring its fair share of benefits and detriment. There will be an acute impact upon every aspect of society with some communities impacted more than others. We know that resettlement puts a formidable strain on the resources of an already strained nation, gripped in the vice of a global economic meltdown but is there anything tangible and concrete being currently contemplated?

That said, this is one of the most critical moments in Guyana’s history. Notwith-standing the immediate demographic impact and the forced nature of the return, this is the first time in the history of this nation that possibly thousands of Guyanese will return to the homeland. Some are armed with capital, knowledge, expertise and a formidable work ethic gained in a nation possessing a significantly better overall economic system. There are benefits that could accrue to Guyana if it is prepared to deal with and profit from the return. There will be some dangers lurking amidst the repatriation, and citizens of Guyana are hoping the government is prepared and would be pleased to have any articulation from the government in this regard.

Finally, Stabroek News has been publishing some heart-rending accounts of these illegals who despite obvious and terrible exploitation prefer their lot in Barbados rather than return to their homeland. Some of these individuals voted for the PNC and PPP in elections past. Some of these individuals perpetuated the current debacle in Guyana either by open collaboration or tacit allegiance and acceptance. Now they are being returned to live by and with their political decisions and their preferences. The real tragedy of this return to Guyana is for those who swore allegiance to the truth in Guyana and strove to stay away from the sphere of divisive forces of Guyana’s political landscape and tried to find a place where they can have the system they yearned for in Guyana.

Yours faithfully,
Michael Maxwell