The Tribune

NEARLY 50 Haitians were apprehended in waters near Exuma hours before 51 illegal immigrants were repatriated yesterday.Immigration Director Jack Thompson confirmed the immigrants were picked up, but could not give a break down in the ratio of men versus women."At this point I am not sure how many are men or women, but I do know they have all been tested and cleared and are on their way to the capital for processing," he said.This latest group of immigrants comes after a repatriation exercise was carried out in the capital yesterday afternoon. Mr Thompson said the department of immigration sent 51 Haitians home on a Bahamasair flight."You may remember we carried out an exercise in Harbour Island last week where we apprehended some 40 illegal immigrants who had no status. :Those people were since sent to the capital and they, along with some others who were at the detention centre, were repatriated," he said.Mr Thompson said the 100 Haitian immigrants who were discovered in waters off Harbour Island have been processed and cleared of any diseases. He also said that there is one case of suspected tuberculosis at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, but the man has already been transferred from the centre for treatment. The man was isolated for evaluation after he showed symptoms compatible with the disease. Mr Thompson also refuted earlier reports of cholera cases at the detention centre, explaining that there are currently no suspected cases of the disease.