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‘The FNM is not falling apart’

SEVERAL Cabinet ministers yesterday dismissed speculation that the Minnis administration is “falling apart” following Lanisha Rolle’s resignation, with one MP saying “not everyone is going to make the full five-year term”.

Abaco shanty town issue ‘will be treated humanely’

IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson said yesterday his ministry has been working in conjunction with other government agencies to address illegal immigration and shanty town concerns in Abaco, vowing officials will clamp down on the problem, but in a humane manner.

Appointment of former policeman at Immigration ‘not a slight’

IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson has defended the appointment of a former police officer to assistant director at the Department of Immigration, saying officials wanted to bring in someone not connected to the agency who had the expertise to help crack down on internal illegal operations.

Minister ‘not aware’ of detention centre abuses

IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson said yesterday he is not aware of any abuses happening at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre despite claims that several asylum seekers are being deprived of certain rights in contravention of Bahamian law.

Minister says ‘we are a country of laws’ after man was locked up unlawfully for more than six years

IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson said “we are a country of laws” after the Supreme Court awarded a record amount in damages to a Kenyan who was unlawfully detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre for six-and-a-half-years where he endured cruel and inhumane treatment.

Immigration bill being reviewed

IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson said yesterday the government is reviewing the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill – newly proposed legislation that if passed could spark changes to the country’s immigration laws.

Work/study visa to launch October 22

The Bahamas will launch its much-touted work/study visa on October 22 to ensure it is available in time for the November 1 tourism re-opening, it was revealed yesterday.

Another work permit warning

WITH staggering rates of unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Immigration Minister Ellsworth Johnson has again issued a warning on work permits, saying not all work permit holders in the country will be able to get their documents renewed.

Johnson’s warning on work permits

AMID economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson said the government will not be issuing any new work permits, except under “urgent circumstances”.

Mexican hirings ‘a slap in the face’

IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson has defended the government’s decision to grant over 100 work permits to Mexican construction workers who entered the country last week to work at the Baker’s Bay Golf & Ocean Club resort in Abaco.

Detention centre on Inagua still govt plan

IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson said the government still plans to construct a new detention centre on Inagua, however it will not come in the upcoming fiscal period. He also said the Immigration Department hopes to hire between 60-100 new rec

Migrants 'need not fear' supplying DNA samples

UNDOCUMENTED migrants “need not fear” deportation from the government when submitting DNA samples to assist with identifying Hurricane Dorian victims, Immigration Minister Ellsworth Johnson said yesterday. Saying all human life in the Bahamas “is pr

Jobless rate rise ‘to almost 50%’

THE Bahamas’ unemployment rate has soared to nearly 50 percent due to layoffs brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, a government minister revealed yesterday.

Bimini woman who died is Cabinet minister's sister

THE Bimini woman who died in New Providence Monday night and is suspected of having COVID-19 symptoms is the sister of a Cabinet minister.

I agree with PM's stance on 'illegals', says Johnson

IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson said he supports the prime minister’s position on illegal migration, stating yesterday that the issue has put a strain on local schools and health facilities. Mr Johnson spoke a day after Prime Minister Dr Huber

PM orders creation of ‘illegals’ strike force

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has instructed Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson to form a “strike force” targeted at aggressively pursuing undocumented migrants throughout the country.

Minister: No WTO membership 'for at least five years'

A Cabinet minister yesterday said full Bahamian membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) “cannot happen for at least within the next five years”.Elsworth Johnson, minister of financial services, trade and industry and immigration, told the Ho

Closures signal ‘illegals extraction’

IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson said yesterday immigration officials will “extract” undocumented migrants living in shelters throughout New Providence once those facilities have been deactivated.

Activists meet Johnson to voice their concerns over illegal immigration

OPERATION Sovereign Bahamas met with Minister of Immigration Elsworth Johnson to discuss concerns on Wednesday after their protest last Friday in front of the Haitian Embassy. Leader of the nationalist group, Adrian Francis said the meeting with Mr

Churches warned - don’t set up unlawful centres

MINISTER of Immigration Elsworth Johnson said yesterday any churches and facilities that are setting up additional shelters not sanctioned by the relevant government agencies are doing so illegally.

ALICIA WALLACE: Don’t blame us, Mr Johnson

It is, unfortunately, not unusual for Members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers to insult the Bahamian people, especially in their bids to excuse their own actions.

‘Our hands clean on illegal migrants’

IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson said yesterday the government has done nothing wrong regarding its handling of illegal migrants seeking refuge in the country.

Abuse claims ‘will be examined’

IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson said officials will investigate any documented allegations of abuse towards Haitian migrants.

Johnson defends decision to mandate work permits

IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson yesterday defended the government’s decision to mandate work permits for Hurricane Dorian volunteers entering the Bahamas. Speaking to reporters outside Cabinet, Mr Johnson said the government still has an oblig

Minister defends government’s handling of illegal migrants

IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson said yesterday the government has done nothing wrong regarding its handling of illegal migrants seeking refuge in the country.

Johnson: Stop this anti-Haitian rhetoric

IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson has hit out at the burgeoning wave of anti-Haitian rhetoric in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, asserting that much of the information being circulated is “downright wrong” and not condoned by the Minnis administration.

Immigration apprehension exercises suspended in Abaco, Grand Bahama

DEPARTMENT of Immigration apprehension exercises have been suspended in Abaco and Grand Bahama in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

June 2020 target for WTO is 'aspirational'

The June 2020 target for The Bahamas to become a full WTO member is “purely aspirational” and not one that must be met at all costs, a Cabinet minister confirmed yesterday. Elsworth Johnson, newly-appointed minister of financial services, trade and

Non-profits face cash crackdown

UNDER the Non-Profit Organisations Amendment Bill, non-profits that fail to renew registration face having financial accounts frozen and being investigated by authorities, according to Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson.

Systemic land injustice is the problem – Johnson

AFTER he was criticised for suggesting Bahamians should “build out of your pockets” instead of going to a bank for a home loan, State Minister for Legal Affairs Elsworth Johnson said yesterday the recommendation was taken out of context and was meant to address systemic land injustice.

Govt to prepare white paper on land reform

THE government has decided to move with “expedition” on the preparation of a formal white paper on the urgent need for land reform in the Bahamas to address issues that have been “thorny” when it comes to the provision of issues like good titles amon

Johnson apologises as PM stays silent

AFTER facing calls for him to resign or be fired for his public criticism over Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ delay in appointing a substantive chief justice, State Legal Affairs Minister Elsworth Johnson apologised for making the comments, telling reporters it was the “wrong” forum to have done so.

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