Next month both Katie and I apply to have our work permits renewed. They both expire at the end of August and we are making sure our applications are in with plenty of time to spare. We probably won't hear anything until later in the fall as there is a huge backlog and the wheels of immigration move slowly down here. These renewals are an every two year reminder that we are guests in this country and here by permission not right. Most locals are very welcoming and view us as a part of the community. Our students in particular could not be more open and friendly whether you are an ex pat or a local. We feel a sense of obligation to our community and do what we can to pitch in and be a part of it.
Unfortunately there is a small but vocal group here, much like some Americans back home, who view all immigrants with disdain and distrust. In their minds we are just here stealing some Caymanian's job and we will always be the "ex-pats" who are just taking advantage of the "true" Caymanians. There is even a morning talk show on a major radio station that seems to feed on the "ex-pat" hatred. Sadly, some local politicians also seem to believe they can make their careers capitalizing on this anger at "ex-pats" and they stoke the fires whenever they can even in the most absurd of cases. In the last two years, several thousand ex pats have left the island according to the government figures. That is a couple thousand people no longer renting properties to live in. Those same thousands are no longer buying groceries, or clothes, or eating at restaurants. They aren't buying cars or gasoline or having their autos serviced. No cable or electric usage or work permit fees being paid to the government or importing goods and the attendant duties government relied upon or using the banks and those fees. In the same time unemployment (which is calculated only by Caymanians since all ex pats must have a job to be on island) has grown and now tops ten percent. In the same period, long time restaurants and businesses are closing and the government is struggling to bring in enough revenue to continue to operate.
It has also created a sense of resentment amongst some ex pats who then go on to act exactly like they are accussed of, giving nothing back and just making their money and leaving. A vicious circle that benefits the community not at all. The law of unintended consequences comes into full play when you run off thousands of people who were pumping money into your economy. The USA in many ways and on a grander scale faces this same issue and perhaps would do well to look at Cayman and see the stark consequences of scapegoating foreigners for your own issues.
Unfortunately there is a small but vocal group here, much like some Americans back home, who view all immigrants with disdain and distrust. In their minds we are just here stealing some Caymanian's job and we will always be the "ex-pats" who are just taking advantage of the "true" Caymanians. There is even a morning talk show on a major radio station that seems to feed on the "ex-pat" hatred. Sadly, some local politicians also seem to believe they can make their careers capitalizing on this anger at "ex-pats" and they stoke the fires whenever they can even in the most absurd of cases. In the last two years, several thousand ex pats have left the island according to the government figures. That is a couple thousand people no longer renting properties to live in. Those same thousands are no longer buying groceries, or clothes, or eating at restaurants. They aren't buying cars or gasoline or having their autos serviced. No cable or electric usage or work permit fees being paid to the government or importing goods and the attendant duties government relied upon or using the banks and those fees. In the same time unemployment (which is calculated only by Caymanians since all ex pats must have a job to be on island) has grown and now tops ten percent. In the same period, long time restaurants and businesses are closing and the government is struggling to bring in enough revenue to continue to operate.
It has also created a sense of resentment amongst some ex pats who then go on to act exactly like they are accussed of, giving nothing back and just making their money and leaving. A vicious circle that benefits the community not at all. The law of unintended consequences comes into full play when you run off thousands of people who were pumping money into your economy. The USA in many ways and on a grander scale faces this same issue and perhaps would do well to look at Cayman and see the stark consequences of scapegoating foreigners for your own issues.
