Report on the influx of illegal immigrants

Nassau | Immigration officials are actively working to arrest and process a large number of illegal immigrants who entered the country in the past few days.

Today, January 25, 2023 at approximately 9:57 am, the latest immigrant group of 18 Cuban nationals. Seventeen males and her one female were found in waters near the Cay Sal Bank United States Coast Guard (USCG). The migrants have been handed over to the Royal Bahamas Defense Forces (RBDF) and are expected to arrive in the capital on Thursday, January 26, 2023 and be accepted by immigration officers.

Further, on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at approximately 6:00 a.m.,
75 Haitians and 2 Cuban nationals have been extradited to immigration officials
In Matthew Town, Inagua after being intercepted by the United States Coast Guard (USCG)
The waters near Kaysar Bank.The group will stay at the facility on the island they are on
processed.

At approximately 10:25 a.m. that same day, immigration officers in Cat Cay, Bimini arrested seven Cuban nationals. 5 men, 1 woman, 1 minor. The group was then transferred to the capital today for processing.

Finally, at approximately 9:30 p.m., immigration officials were notified by a local resident of The Bluff community on South Andros about an abandoned wooden sloop suspected of carrying Haitian migrants.

A task force of 23 officers from the Immigration Service and the Royal Bahamas Defense Forces was immediately dispatched to the island to investigate. Once on the ground, the team began operations. As of 2:35 pm on January 25, 2023, 41 Haitian citizens have been arrested. So far we have 31 males and 10 females.

This is an active and ongoing vigilance campaign as more Haitian immigrants are suspected of being on the island. The Department is currently working with local agencies on the island to ensure all health and safety protocols are being followed.

All immigrants were then transferred to the capital for further processing, and arrangements are currently being coordinated for the deportation of all illegal immigrants.

For more information, call the Public Affairs Division at 1-242-322-7530, visit the website at www.immigration.gov.bs, or call the Investigative Hotline anonymously at 1-242-604-0249. Please call me at