By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
SCORES of Bahamian storm victims trying to enter the United States have reportedly been turned away at the Lynden Pindling International Airport.
According to The Miami Herald, there is confusion over whether requirements for US travel have also been somewhat altered, with airline officials telling the Florida daily that US Customs and Border Protection was now requiring some Bahamian travellers to have US visas along with a passport, instead of clean police records as the agency has required previously.
CBP agents are also apparently requesting proof of income, property ownership, utility bills, employer contact information and proof of pre-purchased return flights in some cases, it was claimed. The Tribune reached out to the US Embassy in Nassau on the claims, however a response was not sent up to press time.
Before Dorian’s destruction in Abaco and Grand Bahama, Bahamians could board US bound flights after presenting their passports and clean police records or US visas at a pre-clearance checkpoint; now many have said they face a longer screening process from CBP officials.
Some have said because of the screenings, they either missed flights or were turned away.
The Herald said several passengers — some with visas, some without — who made it to Miami International Airport on Wednesday evening said they are only allowed to stay in the country for two weeks.
Travellers from Abaco and Grand Bahama are being subjected to extra screenings by US immigration agents in Nassau, passengers and airline officials say, the paper further claimed.
Rachel Thomas, an Abaco resident, was turned away Wednesday because she did not have proof of her earnings.
“I can’t prove I own property when all my documents were carried away by the storm. They are asking me for the impossible,” Ms Thomas from Abaco was quoted as saying.
She was rescued from her roof amid rising waters.
“How am I supposed to provide copies of my light bills when all I have left is the clothes I’m wearing?”
Jade Darling, 24, who arrived at MIA on Wednesday on Bahamasair with her Bahamian passport and police record was one passenger that missed a flight because of US officials questioning.
She noted that officials asked her for her boss’ name and contact information, as well as how much money she had in the bank. They also wanted to know how bad the damage had been to her house on Abaco, and noted that officials were telling passengers not to enroll their children in US schools.
The Miami Herald said US Customs and Border Protection would only say the agency’s requirements for Bahamian citizens have “not changed.”
How long the person is able to stay in the United States has always been at the discretion of the CBP officer and varies on a case-by-case basis, the agency said.
Typically, the default length of stay is about six months.
However, CBP officers factor in several things when making their decision on how long the Bahamian citizen will get to stay.
“Each application is different and up to the officer’s discretion,” a CBP spokesperson told the Herald. “We always look at how many times the person has travelled to the US and how much time they’ve spent here during the year. We factor in whether or not we believe their intent is to stay here or eventually go back.”
A CBP spokesperson further referred the Herald to the Immigration and Nationality Act, which says agents can also consider a person’s assets, whether a traveller has certain communicable diseases, and criminal convictions.
Comments
mckenziecpa 4 years, 7 months ago
Why run to the us with no money and if you bahamian you can get new docs
jamaicaproud 4 years, 7 months ago
As you treat others so shall it be.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 7 months ago
no country. zero, zilch, nada, opens its borders to an influx of immigrants...especially those entering illegally. I guess the only ones that might are the places no one wants to go.
Caybound 4 years, 7 months ago
That’s not true! The USA, prior to the defective trump, has given shelter to many who have been affected by natural disasters. It’s called TPS (temporary protected status). El Salvadorans, Haitians, Hondurans have all been welcomed after disasters. trump cares only for himself. He is a stain on history.
My2centz 4 years, 7 months ago
TPS was granted to documented persons with family in the US...the borders were not open to any and everyone. Beside that, there is no reason for this to happen in this instance...much of the Bahamas wad not affected.
joeblow 4 years, 7 months ago
@My2centz you are correct. It is clear that @Caybound may very well have a case of TDS (Trump derangement syndrome).
Caybound 4 years, 7 months ago
I never stated that TPS allowed ALL residents of an affected nation into the US, but provisions were made for those who were. In the case of Dorian, CPB officials are inflicted further scrutiny on arriving Bahamians from Abaco & GB than they normally would! See MIAMI Herald report. This is unprecedented in the US
bahamianson 4 years, 7 months ago
They may have also learned from the MS13 influx that they are trying to eradicate now.look it up
My2centz 4 years, 7 months ago
This is exactly the way it should be. Unfortunately, the Bahamas doesn't operate this way. If it rains too heavily or the sun is too bright in Haiti (or Bahamas) we suspend repatriation efforts and change the rules. Our leaders even break our own laws to provide birthright citizenship.
geostorm 4 years, 7 months ago
Where are my fellow Bahamians going? What do they expect the US to do? They have no money, no source of income, only the clothes on their backs and are trying to enter the US? Looks like an intending immigrant situation to me. On a regular day, one must establish ties and equities to enter the US, what do you think about a week after a devastating storm?
At this time, those affected by the storm should seek help from family members in the Bahamas or through the government assisted programs. Why head to the US with nothing? You will only be a burden on their taxpayers. It's the same way we feel about others coming to our shores illegally and being a burden on our resources. So don't be alarmed fellow Bahamians, the US is just protecting its self and its resources which are intended for its citizens!
stillwaters 4 years, 7 months ago
I am glad they got turned back. There is no reason for displaced Bahamians or Haitians to go making themselves a burden on the Americans. Stay your hip home and help us fix this mess.
joeblow 4 years, 7 months ago
I can only wonder how many of these "Bahamians" were actually Bahamian. Unlike this country, the US is right to want to know who is coming into their country and ensuring they have a support system while they are there. In this country, the Bahamian taxpayer bears the cost when all and sundry come as they will!
Pricklypear 4 years, 7 months ago
As a Californian I find the comments very interesting. Thank you for sharing your viewpoints!
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 7 months ago
Repost:
The vast majority of Bahamians are about to reap the way of life that has been sown for them by successive corrupt PLP and equally corrupt FNM governments since the late 1970's. Hurricane Dorian has caused all of our most closely guarded secrets to be loudly announced to the rest of the world including the fact that our country, as a result of decades of unchecked illegal immigration encouraged by our corrupt politicians, now has so much Haitian blood coursing through its veins, that we have become a de facto satellite state of Haiti. Most docile indigenous Bahamians are going to be paying a dear price going forward in too many ways to wrap one's mind around.
The vacation and shopping days once enjoyed by many black Bahamians in the U.S. may be coming to an end. We certainly are not in the position to blame the U.S. if they now decide to impose on us, with all of our Haitian ancestry, the very same rigorous U.S. entry requirements that Customs and Boarder Patrol Officers impose on Haitian nationals living in Haiti. Oh well, as they say, welcome to the new normal.
President Trump has already sent a clear message to PM Minnis by effectively saying the U.S. is happy to have helped Bahamians in life threatening situations in the aftermath of Dorian, but they must not now think they can restart their lives in the U.S. That simply ain't gonna be allowed to happen and with good reason from a security risk standpoint.
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