EDITOR, The Tribune.
Only in a bad-dream could someone go to a well-known tourist destination, and get imprisoned because you’re refused entry to the country, and there’s no return flight that day.
However, that is exactly what happened to my girlfriend, after we arranged to meet each other in Nassau for a long weekend getaway.
She travelled on a round-trip ticket; from Santo Domingo North to Turks & Caicos, then a connecting flight to Nassau.
At Nassau, she was told her visa, which was still in-date, was good for only one entry to the country. As this was her second trip, she was arrested by immigration officials, who didn’t check to see there was a returning flight the next morning, before rushing her off to the Immigration Detention Centre; a place infamous for its history of mistreatment and unsafe conditions.
Due to her missing the next available return-flight, she was held captive in the Detention Centre for three days. My efforts on her behalf were fruitless, as the immigration officials were initially hostile, then indifferent.
The lack of concern almost caused her to miss her scheduled return-flight.
Has this happened to other tourists? If so, were they treated the same in this situation? Did her being Hispanic, and speaking only simple English, determine her treatment?
TIMOTHY SHUTTLEWORTH
4505 S Ocean Blvd Apt 707,
Boca Raton, FL 33487,
November 27, 2014.
Comments
Sickened 9 years, 4 months ago
Please don't blame all of us Bahamian citizens. Unfortunately, we currently have a very corrupt government in place who only work for tips. The vast majority of public servants are simple, undereducated people who get very offended if you suggest a more efficient or commonsensical process. And these public servants (or Gods, so they act) can't be removed because of their well connected family members and our highly greedy unions. Please bear with us common folk as we try to rid our country of this scum. We are trying to create a paradise here but are hindered by a few hundred leeches. I would like to suggest that you try to visit us again when the FNM come back into power but unfortunately many of them are also a bane on society. They are better... but far from perfect.
jamaicaproud 9 years, 4 months ago
I have had many opportunities to visit the Bahamas even paid, but I would never go. As a Jamaican born, I will not go anywhere where the tendency will be to scrutinize and disrespect. The millions of dollars you guys are missing out on because the immigrant population in Florida, will not visit the Bahamas because of the treatment meted out to their countrymen. Be wise.
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