Immigration Minister Derrick Burgess last night revealed 1,700 Permanent Residents Certificates have been issued so far — but maintained his claim that the United Bermuda Party's immigration proposals would create thousands of new Bermudians.

The Minister and Premier Ewart Brown have previously claimed the UBP's manifesto pledge — to grant Bermuda Status to long-term residents who have lived on the Island for more than 20 years and arrived prior to moratorium imposed in 1989 — would create up to 8,000 new Bermudians and dilute people's voices.

The Opposition has insisted that figure is a gross exaggeration and have called for Government to reveal the number of people granted PRCs, which would make them eligible for Bermuda Status under the UBP's proposed scheme.

In a statement last night, the Minister said 1,700 PRCs have been issued since 2002. For his 8,000 figure to be accurate, the number would have to be seriously swelled by spouses and children of those people with PRCs, and by a large increase in the number of people getting PRCs before 2010, the 20-year cut-off date.

Mr. Burgess' statement did not include data which specifically backed up his claim about 8,000 new Bermudians, but he did point to the 2000 Census report, which said 4,000 non-Bermudians arrived on the Island before 1989, many of whose spouses and children did not come to Bermuda until after that date.

The UBP has previously attacked Mr. Burgess for relying on the Census data, which it describes as out-of-date. The Census data does not take into account those non-Bermudians who have died, left the Island and returned or left the Island for good, all of whom would not be eligible for Bermuda Status under the Opposition's proposal.

Deputy Opposition Leader Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said at a press conference yesterday: "Last night, Dr. Brown continued the distortions, saying that with 'the stroke of a pen', we would create 8,000 new Bermudians.

"This is not true. The PLP knows it is not true, but it is what we have come to expect from the PLP.

"We have committed to formally studying the issue to address inequities in some families where older members have a Permanent Resident Certificate and the child has status.

"We have committed to publishing guidelines and conditions for review. Nothing that comes out of this review — repeat nothing — can be granted without the full support of the House of Assembly.

"For the PLP to twist this into 8,000 new citizens is a gross distortion that is designed to scare Bermudians into voting PLP.

"We understand the angst on immigration issues, as their policies have allowed many non-Bermudians to be working, especially on construction sites, while Bermudians are unemployed.

"We are far more sensible than they would give us credit for. We explained the inequities, and crafted a response to those inequities. It is unfortunate that the PLP chose to focus on one sentence in isolation.

"It typifies their campaign, and it is only fitting that they should end their campaign on this dishonest note."

In his statement, Mr. Burgess said: "Since passage of the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Amendment Act 2002 whereby the category of Permanent Resident was established, a total of almost 1,700 Permanent Residents' Certificates have been issued.

"Long-term residents have three years until 2010 to apply for the PRC. The 2000 census reports that 4,000 non-Bermudians arrived in the Island before August 1, 1989.

"It is to be noted that many of their spouses and children did not come to Bermuda until after that date. There are some families who never resided in Bermuda.

"Many of those who came to Bermuda were young and would still be of child bearing age, particularly those work permit holders who were male. If the legislation is amended to give Bermudian status to those residents, all of their children who are under the age of 22 would immediately become deemed to possess Bermudian status and ultimately will be eligible to obtain Bermudian status.

"Any spouses, once they meet the requirements of the legislation, will be eligible to apply for Bermudian status. If their children marry non-Bermudians, those non-Bermudians will be eligible for Bermudian status and their children will be Bermudian at birth and so on.

"It should also be noted that any families who are not currently residing in Bermuda would have a constitutional right to reside in Bermuda. This will have a negative impact on housing as they compete with Bermudians for housing.

"The Opposition's proposal to grant Bermudian status to PRC holders appears to invoke memories of the injustices of 1968 when universal suffrage was declared but, in an effort to reduce the impact of the black Bermudian vote, the then UBP Government also gave the vote to Commonwealth citizens who were residing in Bermuda for three years or more, most of whom were white.

"Is the UBP again proposing to commit the same injustices as was perpetrated on Bermudians in 1968? The following question begs: how is this proposal going to help Bermudians, particularly with the added demands for housing that could occur?"