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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Local 
Rights group hits out at bid to ‘squeeze’ profit out of foreign relief aid volunteers in the wake of Hurricane DorianIt has come to the attention of Rights Bahamas that the Immigration Department has been shamelessly abusing the outpouring of goodwill from the international community by squeezing hurricane relief volunteers for $300 a head and forcing them to apply for temporary work permits. This stingy and shortsighted attempt to exploit the kindness, sympathy and sacrifice that has been shown to the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian for profit is simply unconscionable. It only adds insult to injury in a week where the government has already publicly embarrassed itself with its petty and narrow-minded response to the United Nations’ call for tolerance and a suspension of deportations. The move is also wrong in law. None of the volunteers are gainfully employed; they are volunteering their time to help us in our hour of need. There can be no possible justification of this outrage, which reeks of either cynical profiteering, a vulgar and irrational distrust of all things foreign, or both. Government’s tired and outdated immigration policies continue sink this nation to the bottom of world opinion like a rusty old anchor.
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