The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

NO Bahamians have been reported as detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since the United States intensified enforcement efforts, according to Ambassador to the United States Wendell Jones.

In a social media statement last month, officials gave an assurance that the embassy would help Bahamians residing in or travelling to Washington DC, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland.

As of November 2024, 426 Bahamian citizens were under final orders of removal, according to an ICE report. The Bahamians, who were not detained up to that point, are part of a broader list of over 1.4m people from various countries facing deportation.

In recent months, the Trump administration has intensified immigration enforcement, increasing arrests and expanding deportation efforts. This includes using military planes for removal flights and threatening diplomatic repercussions for countries that refuse to accept deportees.

The embassy urged anyone with a loved one detained by ICE to immediately contact the Embassy Consular Annex of The Bahamas for consular assistance.

When contacted by The Tribune Ambassador Jones said he had received no reports of Bahamians being detained.

“We just wanted Bahamians to be aware that they are able to get assistance and information from the embassy or the consulate offices just in case they are detained or they experience any difficulty,” he said. “This is just for guidance for people who might be anxious or would have some questions.”

Ambassador Jones added that so far, no Bahamians had reached out to the embassy with concerns.