Immigration Issue Beyond A Crisis

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – “Beyond a crisis” is how a former Immigration Minister describes the worsening situation with illegal immigrants. His comments come as new shanty towns and safe houses are popping up.

Former Immigration Minister Brent Symonette says the immigration issue in The Bahamas has passed the point of a crisis, while warning the situation will only worsen, if the can continues to be pushed down the road.

But, that’s not all. Symonette says it seems the country doesn’t recognize we are faced with a crisis.

His comments come after immigration officials discovered the farm shantytown on Abaco grew by an estimated 200 acres since Hurricane Dorian.

Following the operation, Immigration Minister Keith Bell promised a crackdown on that island, but days later he told reporters a safe house was found on Abaco, harboring migrants of different nationalities.

Symonette, who served as Minister of Immigration under two Free National Movement administrations, is suggesting a clampdown on work permits.

He says while he was a cabinet minister, the cost of work permits increased, but that was not a deterrent.

He added there’s the issue of Bahamians not wanting to do certain jobs, and it’s not an easy task.