Bahamian man in police custody suspected of being the smuggler NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Labour and Immigration Keith Bell said yesterday that an investigation has been launched into the most recent interdiction of dozens of undocumented migrants from Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, Ecuador, Romania and Turkey on one boat. Bell’s comments follow weeks of apprehensions […]
“We know the minister has pledged to be humane and [the] diaspora of the church continues to pray for the migrants” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) President Bishop Delton Fernander said yesterday that the church stands ready to provide whatever assistance it can amid the “unprecedented” influx of migrants in the southern Bahamas. […]
“Criminalizing migrants is unnecessarily punitive, harsh, degrading and dehumanizing” Human Rights Bahamas believes passing Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill will help address many issues surrounding undocumented migration NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The “immigration crisis” in Inagua shows the need for legal reform in The Bahamas, according to Human Rights Bahamas (HRB) President Stephanie St Fleur. The […]
Delegation traveled to Inagua over the weekend to ensure there was not a “humanitarian incident” Haiti’s PM calls for respectful treatment of refugees NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said over the weekend that in the long term, the government hopes to implement a holding facility on Inagua to temporarily house migrants who […]
“A mistake was made by the last admin by agreeing that everybody has to go to court…before they can be deported” Another 400+ undocumented migrants apprehended late last night NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service Fred Mitchell said yesterday that the government has requested the attorney general to review the […]
MATTHEW TOWN, INAGUA — More than 300 Haitian migrants were apprehended within the past 48-hours and are being detained at the police station in Inagua, according to the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF). The increase in apprehensions comes amidst large-scale migration from Haiti after compounded challenges across the country, including political unrest, the COVID-19 pandemic […]
No ruling on stay of the matter as yet NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Court of Appeal (COA) has granted leave to the government to challenge its three-to-two decision to uphold a Supreme Court ruling on citizenship at the Privy Council. The government is also seeking a stay of the matter to uphold the status quo; […]
Bannister to address The Farm raid in Parliament this morning NASSAU, BAHAMAS — “We don’t know where we are going and we have 28 days to move,” said Rony Jeudy, a work permit holder and father of two who lives in a single-story structure in The Farm, Abaco. Jeudy, who has lived in The Bahamas […]
GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS — The Department of Immigration said yesterday that seven Haitian migrants were charged with illegal landing and one Bahamian man was charged with harboring them on Wednesday, January 13. The group of migrants, including six men and one woman, was apprehended onboard a motor vessel by immigration officials on Sunday, January 10, […]
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Forty-four Cuban migrants, including 40 men and four women, were repatriated to Havana, Cuba, via Bahamassair shortly after 9am today. The migrants were being detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Center, and the repatriation was carried out “in accordance with UNHCR guidelines and collaborating with Cuban Authorities”, a Department of Immigration statement […]
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Nearly 90 percent of Bahamians support the granting of equal rights to Bahamian men and women and equal rights in passing on citizenship, a recent survey has revealed. The Voice of the People Survey conducted by Bahamian information and research company Intel Cay had more than 4,300 respondents. Queswell Ferguson, who heads […]
Minister Johnson says United Nations has provisions for stateless people Immigration overhaul bill still being reviewed NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is seeking to wrap up the revised draft Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill, 2018, said Minister of Immigration Elsworth Johnson yesterday. Speaking to reporters outside Cabinet, Johnson noted that officials are feverishly going through the bill, […]
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 […]
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Immigration minister Elsworth Johnson yesterday confirmed “no less than 30” Immigration officers have tested positive for COVID-19. Johnson declined further comment when pressed for more details ahead of a Cabinet meeting. Director of Immigration Clarence Russell yesterday confirmed some 29 immigration officers have have had to quarantine during the pandemic. Russell declined […]
Immigration minister urges Bahamians to take COVID-19 seriously NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson yesterday said the country could not afford constant repatriations of undocumented migrants apprehended in Bahamian waters. Johnson underscored the cost was not only financial, pointing to risks to livelihood as the country grapples with rising coronavirus cases. His comments come […]
NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson advised today that the department will not be approving any new work permits – except in “extreme circumstances”. Johnson told reporters outside Cabinet that as the country goes through its second wave of COVID-19 cases, the government is seeking to enforce protections for Bahamian workers “We are not […]
Bahamas Miami Consul General warns against non-essential travel to Florida NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield said yesterday that the government has yet to determine an official position on travel to COVID-19 hotspots in the United States. Henfield noted that the prime minister chaired a meeting yesterday with the Minister of Tourism, […]
NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Activist and lawyer Fred smith, QC, yesterday described the government’s proposed Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill 2018 as “a step in the right direction but not enough”. The new bill seeks to finally address the long-standing problem of statelessness and the rights of Bahamians to pass on their citizenship. In an interview with […]
