way for Bermudians have widespread support among the public at large.

Virtually all of those questioned in a Royal Gazette street poll taken on Monday thought it was ridiculous for the Bermuda Government to ship workers back to the Azores after they had lived in the Island for 15 or more years.

"They have contributed a lot to this Island,'' said administrator Mrs.

Valerie Madeiros, "Their lives are here, and their children know no other country.'' Another woman, who asked to remain anonymous said: "I feel if they've been here a long time, they shouldn't be chased out.'' Entire families have been forced to move back to a homeland they barely know because Government has refused to renew their work permits. With hundreds of Bermudians out of work due to the recession, many foreign nationals are being asked to leave to make way for locals.

An hotel housekeeper said that she sympathised totally with the families that have been asked to leave.

"I feel they shouldn't be sent back,'' she said. "Government is getting too strict.'' Several poll respondents suggested amendments to current immigration laws that would give long-time Portuguese residents rights and privileges similar to Bermudians.

Insurance agent Mr. David Blakeney believes there should be a clause which would give such workers the option of getting permanent residency after a certain number of years.

"They should have the choice to either stay here or leave,'' he said. "They should be dealt with in a reasonable way.'' Mr. Michael J. Lindo, who also works in the insurance industry, agreed that cases involving long-term residency should be handled differently. "There should be some sort of system set up so that the ones who have been here the longest can stay,'' he said. "Especially if they have ties to the Island.'' Manager-buyer Ms Allison Harris thinks there should be at least a partial return to the granting of Bermudian status. She suggested that only persons who have lived and worked in the Island for a certain length of time be eligible.

"I think some arrangement can be made for the ones that have been here 20, 25 or 30 years,'' said goldsmith Mr. Michael Todd. " They should be allowed to stay -- that's fair.'' Insurance broker Mr. Sal Cantarella, however, pointed out that changing immigration laws was difficult enough -- amending them to apply to only one specific ethnic group would probably be impossible.

He also noted that members of the Portuguese community were generally quiet and unassuming, and suggested that they be more vocal about their plight.

"The squeaky wheel gets the oil,'' he said.

"It is unfair if they've been here for a long time,'' said kitchen porter Mr.

Selwyn Berkeley. " Most have family here and have made a life for themselves.'' Taxi driver Mr. Noel Lathan told The Royal Gazette : "I feel sorry for the kids who have to go, but they can't stay without their parents.'' Mr. Michael Lindo Mr. Sal Cantarella Mrs. Valerie Madeiros Ms Allison Harris Mr. David Blakeney Mr. Noel Lathan.