(Barbados Nation) Undocumented Caribbean migrants who have made no attempt to regularise their status in Barbados will be asked to leave.

This is the definitive position of Prime Minister David Thompson, responding to suggestions that his stance on the immigration issue may have “softened”, based on recent statements in the DAILY NATION attributed to Minister of State with responsibility for Immigration, Senator Arni Walters.

“The policy is clear.” Thompson stated emphatically during a reception at Ilaro Court recently.

“Those who have made no attempt to regularise their status will be asked to leave. Those who have made an attempt to regularise, we will give them time to see whether their application is clear and reasonable.

“If it isn’t, we will say thank you very much, but regrettably we cannot accommodate you, and if it is, we will grant them status.”

Walters was reported as suggesting that the Government would not be rounding up any illegal immigrants still in Barbados past the six-months amnesty which expired on December 31.

He was further quoted as saying that any crackdown following the deadline would be “on those who haven’t applied to have their status regularised and are caught in any illegal activity”.

The Prime Minister defended Walters, stating, “I think the media tended to be a little unfair to the Minister of State.

“The Minister of State understands what my instructions . . . and they must be followed.

“I campaigned on that basis and I expect what we have decided to be carried out in the manner in which I had campaigned and in which the people of Barbados have responded.”