The Tribune

By SANCHESKA DORSETT

Tribune Staff Reporter

sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell has confirmed that his ministry is investigating reports that 23 Brazilians were denied entry into the Bahamas “without any justification” earlier this month.

In a press statement, Mr Mitchell said “the details surrounding the Brazilian nationals are being investigated and the ministry is in contact with the Embassy of Brazil”.

“The ministry further wishes to advise that the immigration policy of the Bahamas is designed to allow visitors easy access to our shores, and it is applied fairly to all visitors.” His comments came after a Brazilian website posted an article about the deportation of 23 Brazilians on November 2.

According to the report, there were 24 Brazilians on Copa Airlines flight 196 into New Providence, and “the only one allowed to stay in the country was a friend of a Brazilian embassy employee”.

The story also claimed that the Brazilians were immediately sent back from the airport “without any justification despite having all their documents in order”.

The report said that the persons that were deported also claimed that authorities did not allow them any contact with their Brazilian embassies and they went “17 hours without eating”.

The Tribune attempted to contact the Brazilian Embassy for comment but calls were not returned up to press time.