COI Ramps Up Protests Despite Passage Of Migrants Smuggling Bill

Advertisement

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Dozens of Coalition of Independents supporters and party leaders returned to Bay Street this morning, filling Parliament Square with chants of “Kill the Bill” and “Enough is enough.”

They continue to ramp up their campaign against the Smuggling of Migrants Bill 2025, which passed in the House of Assembly this week.

Despite the bill moving closer to becoming law, COI Leader Lincoln Bain says they will not remain silent.

Protesters gathered at the steps of the House of Assembly, where officers attempted to keep some supporters from entering the square. After a brief exchange between Bain and police, the group eventually joined COI members already assembled inside Parliament Square.

Standing on a historic cannon just feet away from Parliament, Bain led the crowd in singing the national anthem and the song “This Land Is My Land” as they continued their demonstration.

The COI maintains strong opposition to the bill. While the controversial section dealing with immunity from prosecution for smuggled migrants was removed, Bain insists there are still major concerns. He argues that international protocols referenced by government could lead to expedited naturalization for migrants and believes those implications must be taken seriously.

Bain says the group is not opposed to cracking down on smugglers, but questions why additional legislation is needed when arrests have been carried out under existing immigration laws for years.

He also emphasized that the protest is not rooted in hatred toward any nationality, but rooted in a belief that Bahamian borders must be protected.

The Smuggling of Migrants Bill is expected to be debated in the Senate tomorrow.