The Tribune

MORE than 100 migrants were apprehended in three separate incidents in recent days, the Department of Immigration said.

On Sunday, 12 people—11 Cubans and one Haitian—were apprehended by the Royal Bahamas Police Force at Hog Cay in the Berry Islands and subsequently turned over to immigration officials at Chub Cay to be processed.

The migrants were apprehended after they were sighted disembarking from an unknown vessel. A search of the area was conducted and the group was later found at Frazer’s, Hog Cay.

All migrants were assessed by the local emergency medical personnel and were reportedly in good health.

Upon interview, the group claimed that they had been on a boat excursion from Nassau, New Providence when they were informed by the captain to disembark as the vessel had experienced problems, the Department of Immigration said.

Initial investigations revealed that the department has documentation for the Haitian national. Additionally, all Cuban nationals were visitors who overstayed their authorised stay in the country.

The group was transported to New Providence on January 3 for further processing and to be charged with overstaying.

The department also said 51 Haitians were apprehended in Savannah Sound, Eleuthera on Monday.

The group consisted of 37 men, 10 women, and four minors who were taken into custody after being found on a vessel on Monday.

The group was held at the Savannah Sound Resource Centre where a team from the Ministry of Health and Wellness Unit assessed them. No major medical issues were reported.

They were subsequently sent to New Providence on Tuesday for further processing and prosecution in violation of Chapter 191 of the Immigration Act.

On December 31, 2021, 66 Haitian migrants were interdicted near Anguilla Cay.

The department’s Enforcement Unit in Grand Bahama District received the group from the United States Coast Guard.

The group of 44 men, 15 women, and seven minors, was originally sighted by USCG cutter Charles Sexton aboard a vessel near Anguilla Cay, surrounding the southeast extremity of Cay Sal Bank.

The group was stopped and later handed over to USCG cutter, Bernard C Webber in Freeport.

COVID-19 testing was conducted after migrants were taken into custody by immigration officials; all migrants tested negative. Once at immigration headquarters, the group was assessed by the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Disease and Surveillance Unit where no major health issues were found.

They appeared in the Magistrate’s Court, charged with illegal landing and were subsequently transported to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, where they await deportation.