National

Parliamentarians Debate Controversial Migrant Smuggling Bill

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On Monday lawmakers debated the Smuggling of Migrants Bill legislation that the Davis administration says will strengthen border protection and deepen international cooperation, but in recent weeks it’s gotten pushback.

Published

4 months ago

December 8, 2025

Delvardo Emmanuel

Philip Davis – Prime Minister

“It sets who can be charged, establishes penalties about the conduct, or the activities engage in by persons that could amount, basically it’s really where processes are attempting to bring people into the country illegally.”

Prime Minister Philip Davis clarifying concerns surrounding the proposed Smuggling of Migrants Bill 2025 in the House of Assembly Monday.

Originally tabled in October, the legislation aims to strengthen border security, reduce human smuggling activity in The Bahamas, and close existing gaps within the current legislative framework.

Following consultation and negative feedback, National Security Minister and Leader of Government Business Wayne Munroe revealed that section 11, which speaks to immunity from prosecution of smuggled migrants, would be removed.

Wayne Munroe – Minister, National Security

“A criminal under this act could only be for an offense under this act, and if everyone looks at all of the offenses committed, none of them can be committed by a migrant, we’ve heard the outcry…”

The bill introduces tougher penalties, including fines of up to $300,000 and prison terms of as many as 15 years for individuals who procure false documents for migrants or who assist, transport, conceal, or otherwise facilitate their illegal entry or movement.

During his rebuttal, opposition leader Micheal Pintard called the bill unsafe, as he points out gaps within the bill.

Michael Pintard – Leader, Free National Movement

“Our difficulty is not with the section of the bill that [criminalizes] a smuggler. We do not support that the bill does not address the issue of the person who they say who is being smuggled, we say when you pay the smuggler who needs to be criminalized, you are seeking to circumvent of this country, and you too are subject to punishment.”