On Friday (3rd March 2023) routine patrols and surveillance resulted in the discovery of a vessel carrying unlawful entrants from the Republic of Haiti off the remote western coast of Andros. Investigations indicate that the vessel travelled near Cuban waters and was enroute to the United States. This appears to be an increasing trend to avoid interception in Bahamian waters.
A team from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Department of Immigration was immediately dispatched to investigate and apprehend the unlawful entrants. Initial aerial surveillance showed distressed personsseeking assistance.
Given the remote location of the landing, the unlawful entrants were taken into custody this morning (5th March 2023). Following an extensive search ofthe landing area, a total of 127 Haitian Nationals were apprehended: 116Males, 9 females and 2 minors. The unlawful entrants are presently being transported by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to New Providence. The Department of Immigration is working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairsto ensure that the unlawful entrants are repatriated as quickly as possible.
The Department of Immigration and our uniformed forces continue to monitor emerging unlawful migration trends and resources will be redeployed as necessary to protect our borders from unlawful entry.
The public is encouraged to report violations of our immigration laws orsuspected unlawful landings to local law enforcement or the Department ofImmigration at (242) 604-0172 or (242) 604-0196. Information can also beforwarded via the Department’s website at www.immigration.gov.bs under thetab “Contact us!’
On Friday (3rd March 2023) routine patrols and surveillance resulted in the
discovery of a vessel carrying unlawful entrants from the Republic of Haiti off
the remote western coast of Andros. Investigations indicate that the vessel
travelled near Cuban waters and was enroute to the United States. This
appears to be an increasing trend to avoid interception in Bahamian waters.
A team from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Department of
Immigration was immediately dispatched to investigate and apprehend the
unlawful entrants. Initial aerial surveillance showed distressed persons
seeking assistance.
Given the remote location of the landing, the unlawful entrants were taken
into custody this morning (5th March 2023). Following an extensive search of
the landing area, a total of 127 Haitian Nationals were apprehended: 116
Males, 9 females and 2 minors. The unlawful entrants are presently being
transported by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to New Providence.
The Department of Immigration is working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
to ensure that the unlawful entrants are repatriated as quickly as possible.
The Department of Immigration and our uniformed forces continue to monitor
emerging unlawful migration trends and resources will be redeployed as
necessary to protect our borders from unlawful entry.
The public is encouraged to report violations of our immigration laws or
suspected unlawful landings to local law enforcement or the Department of
Immigration at (242) 604-0172 or (242) 604-0196. Information can also be
forwarded via the Department’s website at www.immigration.gov.bs under the
tab “Contact us!’
