MINNIS SAYS HE’S RUNNING COME HELL OR HIGHWATER
Tribune photo by Dante Carrer
This story originally appeared in The Tribune 21 January 2025:
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has set himself on a collision course with the FNM’s current leadership by declaring yesterday that he plans to run in the next election despite not completing the party’s mandatory training sessions for aspiring candidates.
FNM’s leaders have insisted that as part of the party’s selection process, all potential candidates participate in a training module –– including its former standard bearer.
Dr Minnis acknowledged that he had not attended a session, claiming the mandate goes against the party’s procedure.
“That has never been the procedure, so I have done neither of any,” he said.
FNM leader Michael Pintard recently said more than 100 people have completed the training modules and been “tapped on their shoulder to get in the field and compete”.
Dr Minnis alluded to his reference yesterday, jokingly telling reporters that nobody had tapped him, adding: “Unless you want to tap me on my shoulder.”
Dr Minnis’s future in the FNM has been uncertain since he lost during the party’s one-day convention in June; Mr Pintard decisively won the leadership race, securing 486 votes to Dr Minnis’s 163.
His relationship with the party’s leadership has not significantly improved since then.
When asked if he is confident about running under the party’s ticket again, he said he answers to God and the people who guide him.
For his part, FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands told The Tribune that Dr Minnis, like anyone else, was entitled to his views. However, he emphasised that the party believes its current procedure is robust and appropriate.
“I think we’ve been very clear about the qualifications for candidacy and I have nothing further to add,” he said.
BAHAMAS FOREIGN MINISTRY ON TRUMP CITIZENSHIP ORDER
BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP AND ITS IMPACT ON BAHAMIANS WHO GIVE BIRTH IN THE UNITED STATES UNDER THE NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER
On January 20th 2025, United States President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship”1, initiating the process to end birthright citizenship which prevents automatic citizenship to children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants and those in the country on a temporary status (tourist, work, or student visa, etc.). The Executive Order will come into force 30 days from the date the Order was signed (after February 19th, 2025).
What is Birthright Citizenship?
According to the 14th Amendment Section 1 of the Constitution of the United States, passed by the US Congress on June 13th 1866 and ratified on July 9th 1868, it states:
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”2
Therefore, this suggests that anyone at birth is classified as a United States citizen. However, the new Executive Order will mandate at least one parent to be a United States citizen or Green Card holder for a child to qualify for United States citizenship at birth.
Impact on Bahamians Carrying a Non-Immigrant Visa
All Bahamians carrying a non-immigrant visa, including participants in the Visa Waiver Program, as well as F-1 students, and B-1, B-2, H-1B, H-4, L-1, L-2, E-1, E-2, E-3, TN, and O-1 visa holders, etc., will be affected by this Executive Order. President Trump ordered agencies not to recognise citizenship for children born after February 19th, 20253.
In accordance with Section 2(a) of the Executive Order, “It is the policy of the United States that no department or agency of the United States government shall issue documents recognising United States citizenship, or accept documents issued by State, local, or other governments or authorities purporting to recognise United States citizenship, to persons” of unlawfully present or temporarily present mother and a non-citizen father.
1 Executive Order: Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/
2Fourteenth Amendment: https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/ 3FAQs About Trump Birthright Citizenship Order for H-1B, F-1, and L-1 Families:
Tourist Visa
Children born to Bahamian mothers carrying a tourist visa will no longer qualify for United States citizenship unless the father is a United States citizen or permanent resident.
Employment Visa
Children born to Bahamian parents who are on a temporary work visa, like the H-1B visa, would no longer qualify for United States citizenship, and the parent(s) will likely have to apply for a dependent visa for their children.
Student Visa
Children born to Bahamian students will likely face challenges obtaining United States citizenship if they are no longer entitled to citizenship at birth.
Petitioning
US-born children will lose the ability to petition on behalf of their parents once they turn 21 years old, as they too will no longer qualify for United States citizenship under the new policy. It should also be noted that Bahamian immigrants who have applied for a green card and are experiencing delays are likely to experience further delays. Additionally, active immigration cases may leave Bahamians vulnerable, as courts could become overwhelmed.
Legal Challenges
Immigration advocates have filed several lawsuits challenging the Executive Order, with some arguing that it violates the 14th Amendment.
Additionally, eighteen United States Attorneys General have filed a law suit against the Trump Administration, which claims that “The President has no authority to rewrite or nullify a constitutional amendment or duly enacted statute. Nor is he empowered by any other source of law to limit who receives United States citizenship at birth4.”
As of Thursday, January 23rd, 2025, a Seattle United States district judge, John Coughenour, blocked Trump’s Executive Order, citing that it is “blatantly unconstitutional”. Judge Coughenour temporarily prohibits Trump and any federal employees from enforcing the Executive Order for 14 days until a hearing on February 6th to consider a preliminary injunction. The judge expressed intent to review a long-term injunction in the coming weeks5.
4 United States District Court for The District of Massachusetts: Case No. 1:25-cv-10139: https://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases25/2025-0121_Birthright-Citizenship-Complaint.pdf 5Judge temporarily blocks Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship, calling it ‘blatantly unconstitutional: https://abcnews.go.com/US/judge-challenge-trumps-executive-order-ending-birthright citizenship/story?id=118005855
Embassy of The Bahamas Washington, D.C.
24th January 2025
THE BRAZILIANS COME CALLING
Fred Mitchell greets Mauro Viera, Foreign Minister of Brazil, at the door of the Office of The Prime Minister in Nassau 24 October 2025 with Ambassador Claudio Lins of Brazil and Parliamentary Secretary Jamahl Strachan looking on.
Fred Mitchell, the Foreign Minister, was the host of the Foreign Minister of Brazil Mauro Vieira, in Nassau on 24 January 2025. While in Nassau, the Minister paid an official visit to the Office of the Prime Minister and delivered an official invitation of President Lula Da Solva of Brazil for the Prime Minister to attend the Caricom Brazil Summit in Brasilia in June of this year. The two leaders then discussed a number of bilateral issues and then the Foreign Minister signed a memorandum of understanding which would allow Bahamian students to access Brazilian universities and other educational institutions. Brazil is also a major supplier of food and The Bahamas is interested in how it can access its food markets in order to lower prices in The Bahamas.
ADRIAN WHITE MP: JACKASS OF THE WEEK
Here is what the MP for St Ann’s said in the House of Assembly on Wednesday 22 January 2025 as he was speaking on Member’s Statements. This was supposed to be about his constituency, but never mind the rules:
“I’m wearing my nice red tie today,” he said.
“When I turn it over, it’s from the line of Donald J. Trump.
“So, I’m here now recognizing the 47th US president of the United States of America and giving congratulations to Donald Trump and J.D. Vance on their election and inauguration yesterday, Madam Speaker.”
So now we know what Mr. White is: anti-migrant rhetoric, underpinned by pledges to roll back climate policies and diversity programs. Racism, homophobia and misogyny. This is what a member of the Bahamian Parliament agrees on.
Mitchell At The Donaldson 90th Birthday In Freeport
From Facebook:
Ginger Moxey, the Minister for Grand Bahama, joined Prime Minister Philip Davis and her colleagues Fred Mitchell MP, Glenys Hanna Martin MP, Kingsley Smith MP at the 90th birthday celebration for 90 year old Cynthia Donaldson at Ascension Church Hall in Freeport, Grand Bahama. I was happy to speak and to take pictures with Mrs Donaldson and with her daughter Allison and my friends Brian and Cathy Seymour.
Fred Mitchell MP
Fox Hill
24 January 2025
Visiting With The Students Of St Augustine’s College On Their 80th
From Facebook:
It was an honour to thank the students, teachers, administrators and faculty of St Augustine’s College this morning as they served a free breakfast to the community of Fox Hill to mark their 80th anniversary as a high school. I left there 55 years ago come this June. I was happy to share my aspirations for their success and wish them all a good long and successful life. I urged them to come back home and finish the work of my generation. They seemed a very well presented and happy group. St Augustine’s is a very important institution in our country. Thank you for coming and congratulations. Seriously, the cheque is in the mail.
Fred Mitchell MP
Fox Hill
25 January 2025
Michael Ferguson Of Doris Johnson Does A Good Deed
From Facebook:
It was a real pleasure to join Principal Kent Lightbourne at Doris Johnson Snr High to congratulate Michael Ferguson a senior at the school for rescuing a lady whose car had flipped over in a road traffic accident this morning. She was trapped and he used his bare hand, now wrapped, breaking the glass to allow her to escape. He said nothing to the school but the lady came to the school to let the headmaster know and to thank the young man for rescuing her.
It was a very courageous act.
Fred Mitchell MP
Fox Hill
23 January 2025
Happy Birthday Rt Hon. Dr Philip Rahming
From Facebook:
I was pleased to welcome Rt Hon Rev Dr Philip Rahming on his 92nd birthday to the House where he once served as Chaplain. He is a former President of the Bahamas Christian Council. He is pastor of Rehoboth Ministries and an eminence griese in Fox Hill. He is the author the pledge. Happy Birthday.
Fred Mitchell MP
Fox Hill
22 January 2025
Grade 6 Ms Curtis Comes Back To Sandilands One More Time
