Bahamas sends 1,700 Illegal Migrants Home, gets Smuggling Convictions and $240,000 in fines

By Sherrica Thompson 

Staff Writer

#TheBahamas, April 21, 2023 – In its relentless and unwavering mission to repatriate undocumented migrants and those who breach its country’s immigration laws, The Bahamian government, last month, repatriated over 600 persons.  Keith Bell, Minister of Labour and Immigration for the Bahamas, made the disclosure during his presentation in the House of Assembly while giving an update on Immigration Matters in the country on Wednesday, April 12.

“Madam Speaker, during the month of March 2023, a total of six hundred and fifty-one (651) persons were repatriated from The Bahamas.  This number included: four hundred and fifty (450) Haitian nationals; one hundred and seventy-three (173) Cuban nationals; eight (8) Jamaican nationals; and twenty (20) persons of other nationalities,” Bell said.

The Immigration Minister said the country is on a trajectory to significantly exceed last year’s repatriation count, as those awaiting repatriation will result in an overall count of 2,128 persons for 2023 so far.

Bell noted that between the period of January 1  to  March 31, the Bahamas made significant steps in its National Immigration Strategy as 1,734 persons were repatriated; 590 persons were charged with various immigration offences; 461 persons have been convicted; and some $240,600 in fines have been imposed by the Court for immigration offences.

In addition, there were 394 persons in the country’s Detention Centre awaiting repatriation.  These persons included Chinese, Cubans, Haitians, Jamaicans and other nationalities.

Minster Bell also revealed that the Bahamian government has been instrumental in carrying out operations against persons and employers who are not following the laws of the country where work permits are concerned.

In New Providence, Nassau, recently, some fifty-six (56) foreign nationals were taken into custody for breaching the country’s work permit laws.

Similarly, from January to March 31, some 81 persons were found using work permits in Abaco issued for employers in New Providence.  The individuals were discovered during a special operation on Abaco called “Operation Restore.”

Bell noted that 65 of the 81 persons found have been charged and convicted.