The Tribune

THE Department of Immigration deported 42 migrants to Haiti last Friday.

A group of 11 Haitian migrants — eight men and three women — were deported from New Providence while 31 additional migrants — 13 women, three girls, two boys and 13 men — were deported from Grand Bahama.

The migrants were all repatriated to Port Au Prince, Haiti.

On Monday, October 12, a joint extensive investigative operation by immigration and police officers resulted in the arrest of a Bahamian captain of a Bahamian registered vessel which police intercepted in the Freeport Harbour with 12 Haitian nationals and one Brazilian national on board.

He appeared in a Freeport court last week and was subsequently convicted and fined $6,000 for harbouring, officials said. Further investigations revealed that his co-conspirator, a Bahamian of Haitian descent, is still at large with both agencies vigorously in search of him.

Last Monday’s operation led to the arrest of an additional nine Haitian nationals, all of whom were convicted and sentenced for illegal landing and overstaying. The group was ordered deported at the earliest opportunity.

Ten migrants from this exercise were repatriated onboard Friday’s flight. The remaining 12 migrants who were unable to pay their fines in a timely manner will be repatriated in an upcoming exercise.

Two migrants were unable to pay their fines and are expected to be transferred to New Providence to commence their sentence, the department said.