The West Indian and Jamaican Associations have revealed that they are prepared to aid any illegal immigrants in Bermuda in their efforts to leave the Island with "dignity and respect''.

The announcement comes following an emergency meeting of the two associations on Tuesday night.

The associations have voiced their concerns that a seeming disproportionate number of Jamaicans appeared to have been targeted in a weekend raid of illegal immigrants and they questioned why Jamaicans who were in Bermuda legally were also subjected to searches and arrests.

The associations have urged all those who were arrested in the Immigration sting operation to meet with them and give details of their experiences.

The information will be compiled and further action evaluated.

They were strong in their view that Bermuda's laws were not to be flaunted and listed that as the first of seven points they released to the press.

"As law-abiding members of the community, we unequivocally support any effort conducted within the law by the authorities, in enforcing the Immigration laws of Bermuda,'' they said.

Winston Laylor, president of the Jamaican Association, Shurnette Caines, president of the West Indian Association, Dr. Norma Hendrickson, Hazel Christopher, Delroy Duncan and Trevor Fyfe, formed the panel who compiled concerns raised at Tuesday night's meeting.

The group of six released the press statement yesterday afternoon and noted "that there seems to be a seething, simmering, negative reference to Jamaicans in the print and electronic media. We hope this is not so''.

Admitting that he felt the coverage of the weekend raid had been fairly tackled by all the media, Mr. Fyfe, spokesperson for the group, explained that sentiments expressed in Tuesday's meeting revealed feelings that the media devote too much attention to negative stories about Jamaicans.

They also queried if Jamaicans were specially targeted in the weekend raid.

And they noted: It appears beyond coincidence that of the 16 people rounded up during the pre-dawn raids of Saturday November 13,1999, 15 were Jamaican; Of the 15 Jamaicans rounded up nine were legal residents of Bermuda. Why were these nine people the subject of searches conducted by the combined forces of the Department of Immigration and the Bermuda Police Service, when their credentials could easily have been verified; The nine legal residents were not released until their legal representative, Elizabeth Christopher, challenged the unlawful nature of their arrest; The Jamaica and West Indian associations are asking all undocumented immigrants to come forward with their names so that a dignified exit with the authorities can be negotiated; and There are several aspects to this matter with respect to the treatment afforded the Jamaicans who are legally resident in these islands. These are being fully investigated by legal councils Delroy Duncan and Elizabeth Christopher.

A detailed statement and position will be forthcoming, the associations said.