Defence Force catches 117 Haitian migrants in southern Bahamas

As of Monday, September 19, 2016

ONE HUNDRED and seventeen Haitian migrants were apprehended in the southern Bahamas early on Monday morning by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF).

While on routine patrol shortly after midnight, Defence Force patrol craft HMBS L L Smith, under the command of Acting Lieutenant Commander Stephen Rolle, boarded and searched a 40-foot white cabin cruiser approximately 61 nautical miles northwest of Mathew Town, Inagua.

A thorough search of the vessel uncovered the 117 migrants - 96 males, 17 females and four children - onboard. The migrants were taken aboard the Defence Force patrol craft and are being transported to New Providence, where they will be handed over to Immigration Officials for further processing.

A total of 190 Haitian migrants have been apprehended in Bahamian waters in less than two weeks by the RBDF. Seventy three undocumented migrants were apprehended off Abaco on September 8.

Greentea 7 years, 7 months ago

Take their pictures and fingerprints and send them back. If they are caught again trying to get into the Bahamas send them to jail for a few months and then send them back. I am not against migration but I am tired of people trying to sneak in unchecked and undocumented. Enough is enough. Go through the proper channels- Even I must admit we need to work on fixing those channels.

birdiestrachan 7 years, 7 months ago

there has to be a better way. Why are they taken into Nassau where they will have to be housed and fed then a plane ride back to their Country. Why are they not taken to the nearest family Island where the Immigration Officer can process them there and they are given a boat ride back home. There may be a reason why this is not done. It will save the Bahamas a whole lot of money if it can be done.