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COMMUNICATION TO THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

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THE PROCESSING AND REPATRIATION OF ECONOMIC MIGRANTS & IRREGULAR ENTRANTS INTO THE BAHAMAS

 BY

 THE HONOURABLE KEITH BELL, M.P.

MINISTER OF LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION

 

12th APRIL 2023

COMMUNICATION

Madam Speaker, I wish to begin by thanking the Almighty God for allowing me the opportunity to stand in this Honourable place once again to provide this House and the Bahamian people with an update on this Government’s unwavering efforts to protect our borders from unlawful entrants.

Madam Speaker, since coming into office in September, 2021, we have witnessed an unprecedented sequence of global events, which have resulted in significant deterioration in the economy and economic outlook of the Republics of Haiti and Cuba.

In the Republic of Haiti, global inflationary pressures are but one of the many issues facing Haiti.  Given the conditions in Haiti and Cuba, we have seen historically high levels of Cubans and Haitians seeking to unlawfully enter The Bahamas.

Madam Speaker, whilst the Government led by the Hon. Prime Minister continues to encourage a regional and international approach to address the issues facing both Cuba and Haiti, the position of this Government remains unwavering that all persons seeking to enter The Bahamas must do so using legal avenues and processes.  Any person seeking to enter or remain in The Bahamas unlawfully will be intercepted and sent to their home countries.

Madam Speaker, whilst we could not predict all of the challenges of the past year, upon coming into office, we accepted that more had to be done to protect our borders.  This is why Madam Speaker last year, we established a temporary holding facility in Inagua with the capacity to hold over eight hundred (800) persons to reduce the time required for irregular migrants intercepted in the Southern Bahamas to be repatriated. This is also why Madam Speaker, this administration immediately recruited and commissioned the largest immigration squad in the history of the Department increasing the total number of immigration officers by over 30%. Today, these additional immigration officers play a key role in carrying out the government’s ambitious mandate for the Department.

I might add Madam Speaker that the Cabinet has approved the recruitment of an additional 100 Immigration Officers in the upcoming months.

Madam Speaker, earlier this year, I advised the public of special operations on Abaco called “Operation Restore” to combat the illegal migration that has been ongoing on the island of Abaco. It was conducted with the assistance of several teams from The Royal Bahamas Defence Force and The Royal Bahamas Police Force.  The targeted areas include: Marsh Harbour, Hope Town, Guana Cay, Treasure Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Ferry Dock, Winding Bay, “The Gully” and “The Farm”.  During the course of the special operation in Abaco, several trends have been noticed which I wish to share with the public.

Madam Speaker, investigations in Abaco have shown that a significant number of persons are working outside the scope of their permits. The employers are in New Providence or some other island and the Permit Holders are working outside New Providence independent of their employer. Additionally, they are also working outside the scope of the grant in that many who were classified as “Handymen” were found engaged working in other classified fields of employment of skilled labour.

Madam Speaker, from January, 2023 to the 31st March, 2023, some 81 persons were found on Abaco using work permits issued for employers in New Providence.  These persons were removed from Abaco and in each case, the Permit is liable for revocation.  To date, 65 of the 81 persons have been charged and convicted.

Madam Speaker, another significant challenge we have found is Bahamian employers are failing to renew permits on a timely basis.  This is a vexing issue for the Department.  Let me at the outset say that whilst I understand that persons can face delays obtaining the accompanying documents to have a permit renewed – if a person is here without a valid permit, and without having a renewal application before the Department of Immigration, they will be arrested and deported.

Madam Speaker, over the past three (3) months, Operation Restore has resulted in over $90,000.00 (ninety thousand dollars) being collected in back fees for processing and document fees from Bahamian employers of various persons being taken into custody.

Madam Speaker, Immigration fees must be paid.  Let me say this again – pay Immigration its fees!  Work permits are obtained by employers, and it is the employer’s responsibility to pay the Government its fees.  Any employer found owing immigration will be required to pay all fees owing and may face prosecution.

Madam Speaker, Operation Restore remains ongoing and we intend to increase not decrease our efforts in Abaco.  It is also important to note that the Department of Immigration is carrying out its work without fear or favour – Red, Yellow, Black and White – Haitians, Jamaicans, Cubans, Mexicans and Canadians all have been investigated and where violations have been found, have been charged, convicted, deported and placed on the Department’s ‘Restricted List’.

Madam Speaker, the Abaco special operation is one aspect of our ongoing efforts all over the Country as part of the Government’s national immigration strategy which comprises three (3) broad pillars:

  • Operation Restore (Enforcement of our immigration laws within our borders);
  • Protection of our territorial waters; and
  • Regional and international Cooperation.

Madam Speaker, in keeping with our promise to the Bahamian people, we have been relentless and unwavering in repatriating undocumented migrants and those who breach our immigration laws.

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.

Madam Speaker, for the period commencing the 1st January, 2023 to the 31st March, 2023:

  • (a) One thousand, seven hundred and thirty-four (1,734) persons have been repatriated from The Bahamas;
  • (b) Five hundred and ninety (590) persons were charged with various immigration offences;
  • (c) Four hundred and sixty-one (461) persons have been convicted; and
  • (d) Some two hundred and forty thousand, six hundred ($240,600.00) dollars in fines have been imposed by the Court for immigration offences.

Madam Speaker, on the 6th April, 2023, there were one hundred and fifty-three (153) persons in the Detention Centre awaiting repatriation. These persons included Chinese, Cubans, Haitians, Jamaicans and other nationalities.

Madam Speaker, I want to personally thank my team at the Department of Immigration for their hard work on behalf of The Bahamian people.

Madam Speaker, whilst we continue our efforts to detect and remove persons, who have no legal right to remain in The Bahamas, operations to intercept those who seek to enter our waters continue.

On Tuesday, 4th April, 2023, two hundred and nineteen (219) Haitian nationals consisting of 157 males, 53 females and 9 minors were apprehended from a 50 foot wooden vessel near Anguilla Cay by the United States Coast Guard. They have since been transported to the Detention Centre.

Additionally Madam Speaker, this past Saturday, 8th April, 2023, an additional 22 Haitians were apprehended by Immigration Officers and Royal Bahamas Police Force Officers for illegal landing in the Exumas. Investigations are ongoing.

Madam Speaker, these recent interceptions bring the current population at the Detention Centre and the Safe House to some three hundred and ninety-four (394) persons. The unlawful entrants will be processed and repatriated as soon as formalities can be completed (which we anticipate will occur this week). Notably, these repatriations will result in an overall repatriation for 2023 so far of some two thousand, one hundred and twenty-eight (2,128 persons). This means that we are on a trajectory to significantly exceed last year’s numbers.

Madam Speaker, I assure the public that your Immigration Department in collaboration with its local and international partners is fulfilling its mandate given by this Government and the people. By repatriation numbers alone Madam Speaker, for the first three (3) months of 2023, the Immigration Department has repatriated almost half of the total number of persons repatriated in 2022!

Additionally, as Minister of Labour and Immigration, the Director of Immigration has been given a clear directive to collect all outstanding, back and unpaid fees owing to the Department, tighten controls and improve the Department’s overall efficiency as one of the Government’s largest revenue earners. While the figures for the fiscal year 2022/2023 will be disclosed in the Budget exercise, I am very pleased to note that under the current able leadership of Director Keturah Ferguson, the Department of Immigration has surpassed the $100 million mark in revenue between 1st January, 2022 and December, 2022.

In this regard, Madam Speaker, the Ministry and Department of Immigration have met with the Minister of Finance and his team in relation to much needed resources for the Department. He has given us his assurance and we thank the Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Finance accordingly and in advance.

Madam Speaker, several months ago, I issued a warning to employers and the public generally about the need to act within the law.  Specifically, I warned persons that each Work Permit is subject to conditions including that the employee work for the employer named on that permit.  Let me repeat that – a person on a Work Permit is only allowed to work for the employer named on that work permit and only allowed to work within the confines of the grant.  Failure to do so is an offence.

Madam Speaker, over the past few weeks, the Department began a special investigation following numerous complaints and information received from the public concerning large numbers of construction workers of foreign nationality working on construction sites in a high end gated community in eastern New Providence.

Following the conclusion of the investigation, an operation was launched, which revealed that foreign construction workers outnumbered the Bahamian construction workers three to one (3 to 1).

Madam Speaker, in one swoop, fifty-six (56) foreign nationals were taken into custody leaving a mere twenty (20) Bahamian workers on site.  The findings of the investigations revealed:

  1. All of the persons had been issued Work Permits;
  2. All of the persons were working outside the scope/terms of their Work Permits; and
  • A large number of the persons were unlawfully paying dramatically lower work permit fees by giving incorrect job descriptions such as farm labourers when they were highly skilled construction professionals.
  1. Several persons owed renewal and processing fees for permits. Others were pending processing fee payments for the renewal of their permits. Persons were classified as Farm Labourers and Handymen when they were highly skilled construction Labourers.

Madam Speaker, investigations into this matter are ongoing. However, I believe it is important to specifically warn Contractors and other businesses who employ persons on Work Permits – get your house in order!  The law is clear on what is required.  If you are unsure, you can call or visit the Department of Immigration.  The immigration laws must and will be enforced.  The law will be enforced equally and throughout The Bahamas.  Island to Island. East to West.  In front of the gate, back of the gate – one Country – one law for everyone! Immigration will target the owner, the occupier, the hirer, the employer and the worker!  Be warned!

Madam Speaker, I note that the case of Douglas Ngumi has reached its conclusion having been determined by the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the Privy Council which is our final Court of appellate jurisdiction.

I publicly thank the Hon. Attorney-General Ryan Pinder and the Hon. Member for Centreville, Minister Jomo Campbell and their team at the Office of the Attorney-General in defending the Government in this case.

Madam Speaker, it is important for me to say that my issues with the case and arguments made are independent from the Appellant Mr. Ngumi as we are governed by precedent, which binds future cases.

Having regard to the arguments put forward by the Attorneys for Mr. Ngumi versus the pronouncement of the Courts, I am satisfied that this ruling, and the changes, which may be enacted as a result of the ruling will put us in a stronger position in expeditiously deporting persons, who have no lawful basis to remain in The Bahamas.

Whist the case highlighted the need for legislative clarification, it reinforced our ability to determine the process by which persons are repatriated under the Immigration Act.  The Department has already begun reviewing the sections which require legislative clarification and will work with the Office of the Attorney-General to determine the next steps.

Ultimately, The Bahamas is a country of laws and persons, who are not citizens of The Bahamas do not have an inalienable and absolute right to remain here.  We are a small country with limited resources.  We cannot accept unlimited numbers of migrants no matter how the Attorneys for such migrants may argue their cases. The Bahamas maintains an organised system to allow for the lawful entry and orderly processing of applications for lawful entry into The Bahamas. This is the only process by which persons should enter this country.  Our survival as a country in our current form depends on the government maintaining control of the processes by which persons enter and remain in this Country.  As a Government, we intend to be unwavering and unapologetic in defending our sovereign integrity for future generations to come.

In closing Madam Speaker, I thank my Permanent Secretary Miss Cecilia Strachan and my fine team at the Ministry of Labour and Immigration. On behalf of the Bahamian people and this Government, I extend my deepest appreciation to the Director of Immigration and her team at the Department of Immigration, our Police Officers, Defence Force Officers and our international partners for all their work in protecting our borders and enforcing our immigration laws and policies.

I ask the Bahamian people to continue to pray God’s protection and covering over each and every one of them as they fulfill their mandate.

Madam Speaker, may God continue to bless, preserve and keep the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Amen.

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Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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Reef Rescue Network: Donor Event Charts the Course for Coral Restoration and Sustainable Tourism in The Bahamas

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#TheBahamas, March 26, 2024 – As the world grapples with the urgency of marine conservation, The Bahamas has emerged as a beacon of hope with its latest initiative led by the Reef Rescue Network (RRN). An alliance of dive operators, NGOs and businesses invested in coral restoration, the RRN recently hosted an immersive event for the British High Commissioner and representatives from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to provide a firsthand look—and dive—into the thriving heart of coral nurseries. The gathering served as a vivid testament to the progress achieved by the RRN and its partners in coral restoration efforts over the past two years, thanks to support from the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility.

Fueled by its vision of harmonizing economic vitality with environmental sustainability, the RRN has strategically harnessed the support of the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility grant, backed by the IDB, the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (UK FCDO), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and the Government of Canada. This collaborative effort aims to amplify The Bahamas’ blue economy by integrating eco-tourism with a series of coral restoration projects, poised to transform the archipelago into a magnet for eco-conscious tourists and bolster the local economy with a sustainable model.

As a vanguard of coral conservation and education, the RRN’s expansive network spans over 50 nursery locations across The Bahamas, Aruba, and St. Lucia. Beyond mere conservation, the network offers tourists an array of Reef Rescue Experiences, designed to kindle a profound connection with the marine world. From specialized diving courses to snorkeling and shark conservation education, these programs do more than highlight the ecological significance of coral reefs—they empower participants to actively engage in safeguarding these vital underwater ecosystems, ensuring their preservation for generations to come.

The event, held earlier this month, was graced by the presence of distinguished participants including Thomas Hartley, British High Commissioner to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Claire Nichols, Deputy British High Commissioner, Daniela Carrera-Marquis, Country Representative for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in The Bahamas, and Claudia Stevenson, IDB specialist and team leader of the project. The day commenced with an insightful presentation on the RRN’s milestones, buoyed by the vital funding from Compete Caribbean and other donors, followed by a hands-on experience at one of the network’s coral nurseries located off the Southwest coast of New Providence.

Daniela Carrera-Marquis, an enthusiastic advocate for coral restoration, expressed her excitement about the innovative concept of coral restoration tourism. She said: “I am looking forward to completing my PADI Reef Rescue Diver certification and diving more to assist with coral restoration efforts in The Bahamas,” echoing the sentiment of engagement and direct action that the RRN aims to foster among its partners and the community. At the event, Daniela participated in scuba diving and performed maintenance on an underwater coral nursery while the others snorkeled and viewed the nursery from above.

The event not only served as a platform for appreciation but also as an eye-opener to the real-world challenges reefs face, as highlighted by Thomas Hartley’s reflections on witnessing the impacts of climate change firsthand. He said: “It was devastating to see the effects of coral bleaching on the reefs.” Coral bleaching is the process where stressed corals expel their colorful and life-sustaining algae, turning them white and leading to starvation, increased susceptibility to disease, and potentially death if the stress continues.

Over the past two years, with the support from Compete Caribbean and other donors, the RRN has made commendable progress in expanding and developing coral nurseries, enhancing the capacity of its human resources, and promoting coral restoration standards throughout the Bahamian archipelago. This includes the installation of 14 new coral nurseries, expansion of 4 existing ones, and the addition of 3,450 coral fragments to nursery units, significantly increasing the ecological benefits to local reefs.

Moreover, the RRN has successfully developed shallow water experiences for non-divers, introducing 35 “coral domes” across 10 dive sites, populated with 943 coral fragments. The living coral domes not only diversify the experience for RRN partners but also educates a broader audience on coral reef conservation.

The network’s efforts have also extended to education and community engagement over the last two years, with 81 Bahamian high school children educated on coral reefs and restoration activities. This engagement aims to instill stewardship behaviors among the youth, ensuring the longevity of marine conservation efforts.

Despite the setbacks faced due to the 2023 summer bleaching crisis, which hampered outplanting activities, the RRN remains steadfast in its mission. Coral reefs form the bedrock of The Bahamas’ tourism sector, contributing significantly to the nation’s $2.6 billion annual tourism revenue. With over two million tourists engaging in snorkeling activities annually, coral reefs serve not only as a magnet for visitors but as a sanctuary for diverse marine life, supporting over 25% of ocean species. The vitality of these ecosystems is also underscored by the lucrative shark diving sector, which generates $113.8 million each year.

However, these invaluable ecosystems are under severe threat from coral bleaching, primarily driven by climate change-induced ocean heatwaves. Significant coral loss was reported throughout The Bahamas in 2023, marking a distressing trend that could foresee the demise of coral reefs by mid-century without decisive and innovative conservation strategies. Hayley-Jo Carr, director of the Reef Rescue Network, said: “By harnessing resilient coral species and employing advanced restoration techniques, the RRN, along with its partners and the global scientific community, is at the forefront of a critical battle to preserve these natural treasures for future generations.”

As the RRN continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities in coral conservation, the support and involvement of its partners, donors, and the community remain crucial. The recent donor event not only celebrated the achievements but also reinforced the collective resolve to restore and protect the vibrant coral ecosystems that are vital to the marine life and communities of The Bahamas.

The Reef Rescue Network’s development and outputs over the last two years have been made possible thanks to the support of The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) which is a private sector development programme that delivers innovative and practical solutions that stimulate economic growth, increase productivity, and foster innovation and competitiveness. The CCPF works across 13 countries and is a partnership between the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and the Government of Canada. Further support has been provided by Disney Conservation Fund, Moore Bahamas Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and the Global Funds for Coral Reefs (GFCR), the latter of which is a blended finance instrument to mobilise action and resources to protect and restore coral reef ecosystems.

For more information on the Reef Rescue Network and how to get involved, visit https://www.PerryInstitute.org/.

 

Photo Captions: 

Header: Leaders in conservation and international delegates, including representatives from the IDB and the British High Commission, unite aboard with the Reef Rescue Network team, embodying a powerful coalition for coral restoration and sustainable development in The Bahamas.

1st insert: A highlight of the event, guests were treated to the rare sight of a spotted eagle ray, a reminder of the precious marine life the Reef Rescue Network strives to protect in The Bahamas’ pristine waters.

2nd insert: Daniela Carrera-Marquis, InterAmerican Development Bank Representative, meticulously tends to a coral nursery as part of the Reef Rescue Network’s hands-on approach to coral conservation, illustrating the powerful synergy between human effort and marine restoration in The Bahamas.

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