National

600 Migrants Repatriated in January

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Nearly $70,000 was spent in January alone to repatriate nearly 600 migrants.

Published

3 years ago

February 7, 2023

Berthony McDermott

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Nearly $70,000 was spent in January alone to repatriate nearly 600 migrants. The immigration minister provided a breakdown of the figures, adding that law enforcement officers are hard at work protecting our borders.

In January 2023, $68,000 was spent to repatriate nearly 570 people, according to Immigration Minister Keith Bell.

Bell made the revelation as he was contributing to the debate on the Fiscal Strategy Report in the House of Assembly on Wednesday night.

Bell added $30 is spent per day to feed each migrant, on top of the cost of healthcare supplies, clothing, cleaning supplies, and laundry services.

The immigration minister also revealing that 395 irregular migrants are being housed in the Detention Center.

The figures come amid what some are calling an immigration crisis in The Bahamas and as Haiti continues to experience severe economic, health and crime challenges.

Last week, protestors led by a Coalition of Independents Leader Lincoln Bain gathered outside parliament decrying the government’s handling of the situation. Recently nearly 400 Haitian migrants were apprehended in Bahamian waters just days apart.