Government
NINETY-FIVE MIGRANTS CAUGHT ON TRADE VESSEL ON CHRISTMAS DAY
#TurksandCaicos, December 30, 2022 – On Sunday 25th December, a multi-agency team conducted an intelligence-led search operation on Haitian trade vessel ‘MV Family Express’. Upon initial search by Ministry of Immigration and Border Services Immigration and Customs Departments, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, a total of 95 migrants were encountered on board and were detained by the Immigration Department. Whilst a number of persons attempted to escape MV Family Express, officers secured the vessel and those onboard, and migrants were transported to the detention center.
A joint investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the vessel’s arrival, supported by the United
The Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Hon. Arlington Musgrove, said, “This is the latest operation in our intelligence-led focus on border-related crime. My government remains committed to a clear Zero tolerance approach as we continue to crack down, disrupt networks and prosecute persons involved in the smuggling of illegal migrants. My thanks go to officers from my own Ministry and to our partners in policing and our Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment for their support in proactively intercepting and searching this vessel. Particular thanks must go to our US partners who are away from their families helping us protect the borders of the Turks and Caicos Islands during the festive period. This Christmas Day operation goes to show our law enforcement officers are always ready to deploy to combat attempts to abuse our borders”.
Persons with information about this vessel, or about any immigration or customs offences, are encouraged to share it, which can be done anonymously via Crimestoppers by calling 1-800-8477 or directly and anonymously to HSI, online at https://www.ice.gov/tipline, or by phone at 1-866-347-2423.