A group backing the controversial Pathways to Status initiative has submitted a string of recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The One Bermuda Alliance policy prompted several days of protest outside the House of Assembly that ultimately resulted in the bill being withdrawn and an Immigration Working Group being formed.

A statement released last night by the “We Support Pathways” group described the Government’s original bill as an “excellent model for reform”.

“Our position is that the Government’s original bill is an excellent model for reform and we hope that the final legislation brought to the House is not radically different,” the statement said.

”Particularly, we believe that the plight of children and mixed-status families must come first in any reform to Bermuda’s immigration laws.

“If these provisions are retained or improved upon, there may be some scope for reform in respect of the long-term PRC and Bermuda status provisions.”

The group said it had reached out to more than 5,000 signatories and supporters of its petition as well as its 2,500 Facebook group members to prepare its list of 14 recommendations that include a call to redouble efforts to resolve the Uyghur situation.

The statement also expressed concerns about the working group’s May 9 press statement setting out how it would initially deal with children adopted from overseas by Bermudians and formulate a policy by June 10.

The group’s statement said: “First, it is grave concern to us that the Premier’s original letter, which was agreed to by the leaders of the March protesters, committed to reporting back to the Government with a view to tabling legislation on May 13. The Working Group appears to have unilaterally decided for themselves to push this deadline back by a full month.

“Second, we are equally concerned about the sequencing of issues. The issue of adopted children, while important, is not urgent. All adopted children are deemed to possess Bermudian status until the age of 22. In contrast, the plight of young persons and mixed status families is far more urgent. There are many families on the precipice of being torn apart; these people need action now.”

• To see the We Support Pathways statement in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”.