Immigration minister says nothing amiss with transfer of immigration officers

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Amid speculation surrounding the transfers of several immigration officers within the department, Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson yesterday said the decisions were not based on suspicions of corruption.

Johnson was referring to rumors that more than 20 officers who were transferred from the Monarch House building, including Bahamas Customs, Immigration, and Allied Workers Union (BCIAW) President Sloane Smith.

His comments also follow the arraignment of at least two employees from the Department of Immigration last month, who have been accused of committing a number of fraud-related offences.

“I want to say to the members of the public and especially immigration officers that because there is a transfer it does not equate to corruption or theft,” Johnson said.

“I’m very concerned by what I’m seeing being published. There’s a certain distinguished Bahamian that goes by the name of Sloane Smith. From my interaction with Sloane Smith, I found that he’s a gentleman of impeccable integrity.

“So I’m very concerned when persons are transferred and then there are stories going around that he’s been transferred because he’s been involved in corruption.

“We’ve done certain investigations and some of those persons who were located at Monarch House were instrumental in bringing some of these matters to court.”

He said: “I was disturbed this morning when I learned of a young lady who is traumatized by irresponsible persons who seek only to promote themselves.

“The propensity to move is even greater now.”

Johnson warned of the danger of perpetuating unsubstantiated corruption accusations about immigration officers.

About Sloan Smith

Sloan Smith is a senior digital reporter at Eyewitness News, covering a diverse range of beats, from politics and crime to environment and human interest. In 2018, Sloan received a nomination for the “Leslie Higgs Feature Writer of The Year Award” from The Bahamas Press Club for her work with Eyewitness News.