Turks & Caicos records 52% Increase in Illegal Migration

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, February 15, 2023 – Irregular migration in the Turks and Caicos Islands has increased by over 50 percent as the political situation in neighbouring Haiti becomes increasingly unstable.

Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Security, made the announcement in a press conference on Thursday, February 9th where he was joined by the TCI Regiment and US Homeland Security agents embedded in the TCI.

“Now if I can begin to paint a picture of what is before us, as you all are aware we have seen a significant increase in the number of migrant vessels coming from Haiti over the last 12 months.  Thus far in this financial year 2022 to 2023 alone, we have caught and stopped 2355 migrants trying to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands illegally.”

The minister compared it to the financial year prior which had 1,555 migrants.

“This is a 52 percent increase and represents five percent of who would be living here illegally in our community had we not caught them.”

The issue is certain to make an appearance at the 44th CARICOM Heads of Government Regular Meeting in The Bahamas on February 15th -17th.

Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister and Ariel Henry, Prime Minister of Haiti is flying in to participate in the high-level conversation as well. Washington Misick, TCI Premier and his delegation will be in that meeting also to represent the TCI and its plight.

Minister Musgrove indicated that the country had been fingerprinting and releasing the migrants in swift succession a process which has cost the TCI over two thousand dollars per migrant.