A publicity campaign detailing the myriad problems of long-term Bermuda residents without status has been unveiled by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The flyers aim to put a human face on the Government’s “Pathways to Status” initiative, which would allow people who have lived in Bermuda for 15 years to apply for permanent residency, and those who have a Permanent Resident’s Certificate, having lived on the island for 20 years, to seek Bermudian status.

The programme launched by Michael Fahy, Minister of Home Affairs, has proven controversial.

Critics have argued that the new rules would further burden an already fiercely competitive job market, thereby making it even harder for native Bermudians to find work.

Previous attempts by the One Bermuda Alliance publicly to explain the initiative have been sabotaged by chanting protesters, who have appeared at both the House of Assembly and at a meeting at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity’s hall.

A protest march to “show dismay” is scheduled take place today outside the Government Administration Building from noon,

Launched today, the Government’s campaign features six people who live on the island explaining how their lack of status has affected them and their families.

Among the subjects is 21-year-old Nicole Fubler, who despite being born in Bermuda to a Bermudian father and a Jamaican mother, does not have any form of status.

As well as being unable to work here, she also cannot leave the island because she does not possess a passport.

“I want to be able to work, to get a car and buy a house,” said Ms Fubler, whose father died when she was a baby. “I hate having to ask my mum for things; I feel like a burden.

“When I see all my friends going away to college, I want to go, too. I want to have that experience; it’s depressing.

“There are so many places I want to go. I feel like a prisoner in my own country.”

The flyer explains that, under the new legislation, Ms Fubler would be granted Bermudian status, which would allow her to work her as well as travel and study abroad.

It adds: “Nicole says if given status the first thing she would do would be to apply for school overseas to study as an IT analyst.”

Also featured is Janice Mullings-George, who was born in Jamaica and arrived in Bermuda in 1991 at the age of 7.

Despite having lived on the island for 25 years, the hospital nurse does not have permanent residency. She said that the uncertainty around her status had made her consider leaving the island.

“Not getting status means uprooting my entire family and taking them somewhere else to start over again,” she said. “It would mean me taking those skills and services that I have honed while living here and sharing them with another country.

“Emotionally, it would be extremely sad; this community of people has become my family. I’d love to have a permanent home here instead of living like a nomad, not knowing what’s going to happen moment to moment.”

Under each flyer, it states: “These are the faces of our neighbours, friends and coworkers. They each made a commitment to Bermuda years ago; let us make a commitment to them now. It’s the right thing to do.”

In a further move to win support for the “Pathways to Status” initiative, Senator Fahy will engage in a live televised discussion tomorrow night, along with Sylvan Richards, the Junior Minister of Home Affairs, and Trevor Moniz, the Attorney-General.

Hosted by Charles Webbe, the programme will air from 8pm on CITV (Channel 2 on cable and Channel 102 on Wow).

Members of the public can e-mail questions they would like answered in advance to pathwaysquestions@gov.bm.

• For the full text of the case studies that support the government initiative, click on the PDF link under “Related Media”