FNM Leader: This Bill Creates More Immigration Loopholes

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Before debate began on the Smuggling of Migrants Bill 2025 Monday, members of the Free National Movement marched from the Old City Market parking lot on Market Street to the House of Assembly downtown, voicing their objections to the bill.

The Davis administration says one of the main goals of the bill is to strengthen border security and international cooperation as a means to prevent and combat migrant smuggling.

However FNM leader, Michael Pintard isn’t buying it, he says the proposed legislation raises more questions than answers.

Michael Pintard – Leader, Free National Movement

“…This bill was supposed to solve the problems, [and] in fact it doesn’t do that, it does the opposite. One of the one of the major concerns we had is the sort of blanket immunity it provides the person who we do not consider a victim to willingly participate in paying money to bad actors in order to come in our country.”

However, the FNM isn’t the only critic.

The Coalition of Independents also protested the bill last week, taking issue with section 11 of the bill.

That section focuses on immunity from prosecution of smuggled migrants.

In parliament today, the Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly Wayne Munroe announced the controversial section is being removed from the bill.

Ryan Pinder K.C. – Attorney General

“If there is a pregnant woman, regardless of migrant status, it’s a responsible thing to give them proper care, if you’re injured [its] responsible to get proper care, if you have a child who is without their guardians or parents, it’s the responsible thing to provide the proper [care] under the existing law of The Bahamas. So it doesn’t create any new law with respect to that.”

The party also wants to see a better plan to tackle immigration.

Michael Pintard – Leader, Free National Movement

“We launched Operation Shield and indicated where we stand. We need to hear from the government where they stand, this what they’re trying to believe that they ought to kill the bill.”