14879: Schweissing: Nassau Guardian: Record number of illegal immigrants deported (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Daniel Schweissing <dan_schweissing@hotmail.com>

Bahamas

The Nassau Guardian Wednesday, February 19, 2003

Record number of illegal immigrants deported


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(By VANESSA C. ROLLE Guardian Staff Reporter) A record 125 immigrants, 114
Haitians and 11 Jamaicans, were deported from The Bahamas on Monday,
according to the Ministry of Labour and Immigration. The ministry that 216
illegal immigrants are still awaiting deportation from the Detention Centre.



It cost Bahamians $42,666.60 in January to deport 250 illegal immigrants,
including 116 Haitians, 65 Cubans, 58 Jamaicans, seven Canadians, two
Hondurans, one American and one Indian, from New Providence, Freeport,
Abaco, Bimini, Exuma and Andros.

A total of 188 illegal immigrants were apprehended in January, and of those
31 were released.

In addition, a total of seven Haitian vessels were stopped in Bahamian
waters and 51 crew members were found without the requisite Bahamian visas;
33 of them were allowed to rejoin their vessels.

Last week, Minister of Labour and Immigration Vincent Peet announced the
establishment of a Rapid Response Unit in New Providence to encourage the
public to play an active role in stemming the flow of illegal immigrants to
The Bahamas.

A hotline number 322-3884 was also established for community to report any
illegal immigrants who may be hiding out in their area.

The Department of Immigration will also establish an Exit Booth at Nassau
International Airport to identify individuals who illegally extend their
stay in The Bahamas.

The department is also currently examining a "state-of-the-art" database
software package to assist in the identification of illegal immigrants.

The Rapid Response Unit will be manned by a trained and highly qualified
team of immigration officers, who will work in conjunction with the Royal
Bahamas Police and Defence Force.

A mobile unit will also be introduced in Grand Bahama and other Family
Islands to assist in the apprehension of all illegal immigrants.

Immigration will also disseminate information weekly to the general public
via the media regarding the apprehension and repatriation of those remaining
at the Detention Centre.


Caption:Vincent Peet



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