Walter Roban said assurances from Government that commercial immigration was “not a done deal” brought little comfort, given the OBA’s record.

At a public meeting earlier this week, Michael Fahy, the Minister of Home Affairs, insisted no decision had been made on the controversial issue, pointing out that Government wanted to open up a dialogue with voters.

Commercial immigration allows individuals to gain certain residential and citizenship rights in another jurisdiction that they invest in.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Roban, the Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, said the OBA had repeatedly misled Bermudians and broken promises since coming into office, particularly in the area of immigration.

“The OBA have used every opportunity to open the immigration floodgates, while Bermudians are pushed to the back of the line in our own country,” Mr Roban said.

“Under the OBA we have seen the OBA break their promise to suspend, not scrap term limits, a failed OBA scheme to give the right to work to the children of work permit holders, and the refusal to condemn the vicious anti-Bermudian rhetoric spewed daily online while OBA officials openly refer to Bermudians as ‘xenophobic’ and ‘kool aid drinkers’.

“Bermudians understand that OBA promises mean nothing, and that they cannot be trusted to stand up for Bermudians. In fact, they cannot be trusted, period.”

He added that the Progressive Labour Party was committed to protecting Bermudian citizenship, and will oppose any plan to allow non-Bermudians to “buy the right to vote, take jobs from Bermudians and buy up the few remaining bits of land in our country”.

Government announced last year in the Throne Speech that it would investigate the possibility of a Commercial Immigration Programme as a means of boosting foreign investment on the Island, and create jobs for Bermudians.

However, the PLP has steadfastly objected to the introduction of any “cash for passport” schemes.

Around 20 countries including the US, Canada, Malta, Antigua and the Dominican Republic have implemented such schemes which offer foreigners residency, or citizenship, in exchange for financial investments.