By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
WITH no sign the government is more aggressively enforcing the country’s immigration laws despite the passing of the December 31, 2017, deadline for illegal immigrants to leave, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold said critics “should just stay tuned”.
Since the start of the year, the Minnis administration’s strategy for ramped up efforts to apprehend illegal immigrants has been unclear.
Some Haitians in the Bahamas have said they have observed no increased activity and the pace of the Department of Immigration’s processing of applications has not improved.
“They should just wait for the immigration people to come and see them,” Mr Newbold said during his weekly press briefing yesterday.
“According to the minister responsible for immigration, (improved processing of applications) has been done and they are dealing with (that). Is it at the level it ought to be, probably not but according to the minister they are dealing with that. We say what we want and it happens and everybody gets upset. I’m sure you’ll be hearing some more from the minister of immigration.”
Asked if apprehension activities have changed since the passing of the December 31 deadline, Mr Newbold said: “I couldn’t tell you that. I know that the minister of immigration is dealing with whatever needs to happen; he’s dealing with it.”
In October, during a Parliament session, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis warned all illegal migrants they had until the end of 2017 leave the country, after which they would be “aggressively pursued and deported”.
Comments
TalRussell 6 years, 3 months ago
Ma Comrade Braddas, straight from the even more confusing mouthpiece the Imperial 'red shorts' press spokesman's "Acee."
John 6 years, 3 months ago
In the main time how will Donald Trump's immigration laws affect Bahamians living in the US? There are reports that persons who have lived in the States for over 30 years are being deported, some having to leave their wives and family behind. They never took the time time to regularize their status in that country. Some went over as children and others went on student visas or tourist visas and just stayed. The cultural shock of having to return to the Bahamas and the possibility of not being able to return to the US, even to visit.
ohdrap4 6 years, 3 months ago
you ever heard of one?
If you do, tell them to buy the Punch and call that bahamian lady immigration lawyer in miami.
ashley14 6 years, 2 months ago
John, I did see that family on television. I'm not sure where or what that was about. It's not like their deporting people or seeking them out. I don't see anything any different other then the ridiculous political battle. The thing about it is with our laws the parents my be illegal, but a lot of their children are American Citizens and when their old enough they can legally bring their whole family here with work permits. It's the law as I understand it. And yes, I have been wrong before.
jackbnimble 6 years, 3 months ago
No shock here. I remain the doubting Thomas on all things immigration. No government has the wherewithal to deal and worse if you have courted the Haitian vote and put one in the Cabinet as payback.
John 6 years, 3 months ago
It would be interesting to see what happens with Trumps immigration plans as the unemployment numbers in the Us continue to shrivel. Amazon is in the process of purchasing Target and adding food to the its stock items. It also has added low priced items to its free shipping list and expects to hire 30,000 new employees. It is also looking to open its second headquarters that will also require additional workers. Ford is in the process of refurbishing several of its plants in the US and will resume the manufacture of the Ford Ranger truck. New vehicles are expected to roll off the assembly line as early as December of this year. Also Apple is in the process of taking $250 Billion that it held overseas back to the US after Trump's tax cuts reduced the amount of taxes they will have to pay by over $40 billion. Apple plans to invest $350 billion in the US over the next 5 years. Then Walmart gave each of its 1/2 million employees a $1,000 bonus in addition to pay raises. It is exploring the possibility of expanding its online business to compete with Amazon that is not getting into brick and mortar stores. So where will the workers come from. America will be experiencing a shortage of workers at least by June of this year. If all the illegals are deported before they are replaced by legitimate workers, there will be a severe worker shortage. This will drive up the cost of labor and this can eat up the benefits of Trump's tax cuts. This will then lead to inflation.
ohdrap4 6 years, 3 months ago
Norway and those other viking countries which have been invaded by illegal african immigrants
Yes, i am a visionary..
John 6 years, 3 months ago
.You sound like a retard... How many of these people are currently living in or migrating to the USA?
LisaandPatti 6 years, 2 months ago
Right now the American Economy is Booming! Trump has brought higher wages and more jobs to countless people. To address Amazon cities are recruiting their new head quarters to be built in their state. They are a huge employer with progressive ideas, with fantastic wages and benefits. They are boosting the economy. Going to keep prices down with their competition. Now Bahamian immigrants in my opinion won't be affected from the battle in Washington D C at this time. This is about the millions of Hispanic that are illegally here. Trump will get his wall and everyone here can stay. Betcha they won't deport anyone. They just want to get a hand on it.
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