The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement has pledged sweeping immigration reforms, including tighter border controls, new oversight mechanisms and expanded surveillance, as it sharpens its campaign message ahead of the next general election.

At the party’s campaign launch at Baha Mar on Saturday night, FNM leader Michael Pintard said an FNM government would take a hard line on illegal migration while maintaining a humane approach.

“No one who comes into The Bahamas illegally can ever have a pathway of becoming a Bahamian citizen,” he said. “We will be firm, but we will be humane.”

He said the party would overhaul what he described as a broken system and remove those who have corrupted it, while also calling for an audit of immigration records and national identification documents.

The proposals were reinforced by other FNM candidates, including Elizabeth Estates candidate Heather Hunt, who said the party would introduce a Commission of Inquiry, a strengthened whistleblowing hotline and an independent oversight board for immigration decisions.

“This structure will review every citizenship and residency decision and expose the people corrupting the system,” she said. “The hotline will offer protections and rewards for tip‐offs. It’s time we protected our citizenship.”

“I want to be clear: Every human being has dignity, and we welcome those who follow the law and come to our country the right way. But things have gotten out of control. And this government is choosing to look the other way.”

Former immigration minister Elsworth Johnson, the party’s Yamacraw candidate, outlined additional enforcement measures under what the party calls “Operation Shield”.

“As part of Operation Shield, we will heighten surveillance on our waters, establish the Immigration Reservist Body, and expand biometric tracking for deportations.” Mr Johnson said. “We will enhance coastal monitoring in partnership with CARICOM and US agencies to deter smuggling, while trained reservists on every Family Island will supplement immigration teams.”

Mr Pintard also renewed his criticism of the Davis administration over alleged immigration failures and claims of voter fraud linked to fraudulent documents, arguing that the government has not taken the issue seriously.

“We said recently that the Prime Minister was dead wrong to indicate that he saw an isolated case where someone has a fraudulent passport and has been able to obtain a voter card,” he said.

Last week, Mr Pintard said more than 250 fraudulent document cases were under investigation and tabled what he described as a partial list, including matters involving e-passports. Documents later circulated by the FNM included a spreadsheet listing more than 70 people allegedly issued passports between 2018 and 2024, although the origin of the document was not indicated.

The Davis administration has pushed back on those claims. Prime Minister Philip Davis said he did not describe the issue as an isolated incident and maintained that while the matter is concerning, it does not pose a systemic threat.

Chief Passport Officer Nicholas Symonette said 98 suspected passport fraud cases have been referred to police following internal reviews, adding that the list cited by Mr Pintard reflected an earlier subset of referrals and that he did not know where the figure of more than 250 cases came from. He said the names were compiled through audits and submitted with supporting documentation, and that the process is ongoing.

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said investigations have identified people who obtained Bahamian passports unlawfully through fraudulent marriages, falsified birth certificates and other irregularities. He said 27 people have been arrested and charged, resulting in 21 cases, with two convictions secured through guilty pleas and other matters pending trial.

Parliamentary Commissioner Harrison Thompson also defended the integrity of the voters’ register, saying safeguards are in place and that ineligible names are removed in accordance with the law.

Mr Pintard, however, accused the government of failing to act decisively and questioned whether some people were benefiting from weaknesses in the system.

“This administration clearly does not have a commitment to addressing these cases and the Bahamian people should ask why,” Mr Pintard said.