Immigration Spending Millions On Repatriation

Immigration Spending Millions On Repatriation

June 11th, 2009

By ROGAN SMITH

The Department of Immigration has spent more than $5.2 million over the past five years on repatriation exercises, according to Immigration State Minister Branville McCartney.

The government also announced yesterday that 2,256 illegal immigrants were repatriated for the January to May 2009 period.

According to Minister McCartney, for the 2004/2005 period, the government spent $639,801 on repatriation exercises, for the 2005/2006 period, the government spent $801,832, for the 2006/2007 period, the government spent $986,620, for the 2007/2008 period, the government spent $1,337,136 and for the 2008/2009 period the government spent $1,453,201.

Immigration officials have long admitted that repatriations are very expensive and absorb much of the department’s budget.

"We will continue to repatriate as quickly as possible. Where persons are found on certain islands, they will be repatriated directly from those islands," Mr. McCartney said.

"The apprehension exercise of illegal immigrants is one of our greatest challenges, amidst its high level of controversy because of the public and the media at times. However, the Immigration Department continues to persist and be courageous in its relentless effort to rid The Bahamas of all illegal immigrants."

The minister was giving his contribution to the 2009/2010 budget debate in the House of Assembly Wednesday.

During his contribution, Minister McCartney also sought to set the record straight on a few misconceptions regarding his department’s investigative efforts.

"It is important to note that our officers investigate both blue and white collar infractions against our immigration laws. We all know of the construction worker, the maid, plumber, carpenter and persons in assorted sales business such as restaurants or clothing stores who are often arrested for infractions against immigration laws," he said.

"Still the public should be aware that our investigations often take us to banks, hotels and business houses where magistrates, chefs, sales managers and bankers and others have arrested as well. Essentially, no illegal foreign national, blue or white collar worker is exempt from immigration control. Wherever they are found in breach of our immigration laws, where the evidence exists, we will arrest and prosecute them to the full extent of the law."

According to January to May 29, 2009 statistics, 121 illegal immigrants have been charged in court for working illegally in The Bahamas. Several Bahamians have also been charged and convicted on various infractions, including employing illegal immigrants, knowingly assisting in illegal landing or possessing forged documents.