Immigration Commission to Probe Processes and Procedures

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Amid ongoing challenges in the immigration department, the Davis administration formed a commission tasked with reviewing the processes and procedures.

Prime Minister Philip Davis explains the mandate.

The prime minister’s comments came months after the immigration department, under former minister Keith Bell, was engulfed in controversy beginning with Bell giving citizenship to the family of a dead man at his funeral.

That was followed by the news that Chinese nationals being released from custody to return to work without valid work permits.

But the drama didn’t stop there. The minister was also accused of circumventing senior immigration officials to give instructions.

In the heat of the mixup, the prime minister said confidence in the process needed to be restored.

On Thursday, Davis said the commission will also review immigration legislation and any process; the commission is chaired by Alexandra Hall.

As for how long before a full report is done? Hall says she’s unable to say but she did say this.  

When asked if their findings will be public, Hall said that’s up to the minister.

The commission consists of Hall, former Education Director Marcellus Taylor and former RBDF Commodore Clifford “Butch” Scavella.

She explains what will fall under their remit.