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Wait time for passports is increased to 12 weeks

THE demand for passports has tripled this year compared to 2014, forcing the collection time to increase from eight weeks to 12 weeks, according to Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell.

Mitchell: We will fight smears against country

FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday that the government will use every resource to fight any smear campaign against the country.

Immigration to hold meeting to plan checks in Abaco

THE Department of Immigration will host a multi-agency planning meeting ahead of intensive immigration checks set for Abaco.

Mitchell dismisses calls from business for eased restrictions

FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday dismissed calls for an easing of immigration policy restrictions to meet the private sector’s demands for foreign talent.

Mitchell rejects need for law

FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday refuted recent claims that the government’s new immigration policy would prove ineffective due to a lack of legislation and said “no legislation is required” to enforce the restrictions.

Minister accused of using ‘new rules created out of thin air’

GRAND BAHAMA Human Rights Association Vice President, Joseph Darville, has accused Immigration Minister, Fred Mitchell of using “new rules created out of thin air “ to target children born in The Bahamas.

Mitchell: Public backs immigration measures

FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell is confident the government enjoys the support of most Bahamians for its latest immigration restriction, which mandates that children of non-Bahamians have a student permit to attend school.

Mitchell accuses activists of ‘rank hypocrisy’

IMMIGRATION MINISTER Frederick Mitchell accused the Grand Bahamas Human Rights Association of “rank hypocrisy” over its stance against the immigration policy and personal campaign against him.

Mitchell hits back over immigration rules

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration yesterday defended the government’s recently announced immigration restrictions for children, stressing that they were in accordance with the Immigration Act and a part of the Christie administration’s wider policies.

Mitchell announces new regime for visas

IMMIGRATION Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday the Department of Immigration is introducing “a new regime and pricing structure” beginning February 1.

Mitchell seeks rise in minimum wage

IMMIGRATION Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday he is “lobbying within the government” for a “livable” increase in minimum wage.

‘Political appointment’ delays US Ambassador confirmation

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell could not say yesterday when a United States ambassador to The Bahamas would be appointed.

Abaco prepared for immigration exercises

FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell will hold a series of meetings in Abaco beginning today in the hope of educating residents about a planned immigration exercise on the island.

Health insurance and proof of housing may be needed for work permit approval

HEALTH insurance and proof of adequate housing could be mandatory requirements for employers seeking permits for foreign labourers, Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell revealed yesterday.

Mitchell: Detention Centre has been operating without rules

THE Carmichael Road Detention Centre has been operating without governance procedures or rules since it was established in the mid-1990s, Immigration and Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell revealed yesterday.

Mitchell: Immigration policy is in accordance with constitution

FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell delivered a multi-layered defence of the government’s new immigration policy during his address before the Organisation of American States yesterday, emphasising that this country conducts its business in accordance with the Constitution and international standards.

Barbed wire 'thrown in immigration officer's face'

A SUSPECTED illegal migrant allegedly threw barbed wire in the face of an immigration officer in a bid to evade capture during a routine check yesterday morning.

Mitchell: Legislation to be tabled this week on new immigration policy

THE government plans to table legislation on its new immigration policy when the parliament resumes this week, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell.

Mitchell to probe sickness absence of immigration staff

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday said his ministry is investigating why eight of 12 immigration officers failed to report for work at the Lynden Pindling International Airport on Wednesday – their absence resulting in severe queues for many who tried to clear immigration.

OAS immigration meeting with Mitchell delayed

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said discussions with two major international organisations that were planned for today to clarify the government’s controversial new immigration restrictions in Washington, DC, have been postponed until next week.

Mitchell firm over OAS concern on immigration policy

FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday said he was “not concerned in the slightest” about Organisation of American States Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza’s “concern” about the Bahamas’ new immigration policies.

Mitchell reiterates policy over illegal immigration

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said the execution of new immigration policies is a blunt instrument that should not be viewed as social work as he asserted the government’s unwavering commitment to tackling illegal migration.

Mitchell in talks in US to clarify immigration ‘misconceptions’

FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said he expects to hold discussions with two major international organisations in Washington, DC, next week to clarify “misinformation” about the government’s controversial new immigration restrictions.

Smith 'incorrect' in claims over new immigration rules

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has branded recent remarks made by president of the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association Fred Smith over its new immigration restrictions as a “grave error”.

Five children picked up by immigration ‘in care of the state’

FIVE children who were picked up by Department of Immigration officers during an operation on Saturday remain in the care of the state, Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday. Mr Mitchell said the children are awaiting “the return of a responsible adult.”

Mitchell cautions Ambassador after ‘Christian spirit’ remarks

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday said he had a “very frank” conversation with Antonio Rodrigue about the Haitian Ambassador to the Bahamas’ controversial comments on the rounding up of illegal immigrants on Monday.

Foreign Affairs Minister leads Bahamas delegation to CARICOM Ebola meeting

FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell led a delegation to Trinidad and Tobago for a special meeting of CARICOM ministers to discuss the potential threat of the Ebola virus.

Minister affirms November 1 changes

HAITIAN nationals with a claim to Bahamian citizenship may be given additional time to allow for processing delays for documents once new immigration policies come into effect next month, Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday.

Fraud fears over citizenship bids

SOME 300 applications for citizenship were returned earlier this year due to suspicions that birth certificates were fraudulently issued from the civil registry, Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell revealed yesterday.

Mitchell says DNA marchers were paid $25

THE Democratic National Alliance allegedly paid “vulnerable people” $25 to wear DNA T-shirts and to participate in the party’s demonstration last week, Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell claimed.

Praise for Mitchell for 'ambitious' goal of 20 per cent protected marine areas

SAVE The Bays (STB), the fast-growing environmental movement dedicated to the protection of marine resources, has joined forces with Bahamas Waterkeeper to praise Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell for remarks to the United Nations last week detailing what leaders of the two organisations called “the most important, powerful commitment yet by the current government to preserve that which makes The Bahamas the magical country it is – our waters”.

Mitchell calls on PLP women to fight for equality vote

FRED Mitchell, the Fox Hill MP, yesterday declared his support for those fighting for women’s equality in The Bahamas, urging the women of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) to “seize the day”.

New rules to tackle illegal immigration

IMMIGRATION Minister Fred Mitchell announced that government will impose new immigration restrictions in a bid to clamp down on illegal migration, particularly from Haiti.

Mitchell: Those who have lost faith should look elsewhere

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said that, while dissenting opinions are valuable to organisations, those who have lost faith in the party should “look elsewhere”.

New measures planned to tackle illegal immigration

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell expects to soon announce new measures the government will take to help clamp down on illegal immigration to this country.

PLP ‘IS UNITED’ ON REFERENDUM

DESPITE the impassioned contributions by two PLP MPs expressing disagreement with the proposed constitutional amendment bills in Parliament this week, Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said he is not concerned about any “dissension” within the ranks and dismissed the behaviour as “public posturing”.

Mitchell: Resistance exposes nation’s homophobia

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell says the fierce opposition that the government has received over the proposed fourth amendment bill which seeks to insert the word “sex” into Article 26 of the Constitution exposes the rampant “homophobia” in the country.

Mitchell yet to get answers on US surveillance claims

NEARLY three months after reports surfaced alleging that the US National Security Agency is recording every cell phone conversation in the Bahamas, US government officials have still not responded to the allegations.

Mitchell denies govt 'tolerated' intimidation of Key Cuban witness

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday denied that the Bahamian government “tolerated” and “allowed” the Cuban government to intimidate a key witness in a hearing to determine whether Bahamian marines abused detainees at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre last year.

More than $1m spent on sending migrants home

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell announced on Wednesday that the government spent over $1 million last year in repatriation costs for illegal immigrants.

‘Public is wrong over issue of raise in M.P. salaries’

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday that public opinion on the issue of MPs getting a raise and a new Parliament is “wrong” and “pure foolishness”.

Mitchell to reveal NSA spy report to Parliament

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell will present a full report in Parliament this week on the investigation into reports that the US’ National Security Agency (NSA) is intercepting and recording all cellphone conversations in the Bahamas.

Mitchell: Cash playing politics over raid to stay in the limelight

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday accused Free National Movement Chairman Darron Cash of using the recent police search of his home and seizure of items as a political tactic to keep himself in the limelight.

Still no answers over spy claims

AFTER more than a week with no answers from Americans or “hard facts” over spying claims, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said he plans to raise concerns over allegations at a regional meeting this week.

$1m funding increase 'only cos adjustments'

THE increase of just over $1m in the 2014/2015 budget allocation for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration reflect only cost-adjustments, according to Minister Fred Mitchell.

High-level talks in NSA spy row

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday defended his handling of the situation surrounding the recording of all cellphone calls in the Bahamas saying that meetings are being held at the “highest levels” to get to the bottom of it.

Recording calls 'clearly illegal'

THE allegations of possible surveillance of cellphone calls in the Bahamas are “startling” and, if proven, then the behaviour would be “clearly illegal”, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday.

AUDIO - Mitchell: Middle East trip will aid business

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell says a recent trip to the Middle East has sparked new relationships which will assist in developing business and investments throughout the Bahamas.

Claims Cuban detainees repatriated by force 'absurd and incorrect' says Mitchell

ALLEGATIONS that Cuban detainees were being forcefully repatriated by the Bahamas were described yesterday as “absurd and incorrect” by Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Mitchell: FNM criticism is an attempt to deflect

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell says the FNM’s criticism of his latest diplomatic note to the Malaysian government is another attempt by the party to deflect from their Leader Dr Hubert Minnis’ “insensitive” comments where he likened the government to the lost flight MH 370.

Govt sends diplomatic note over Minnis airline comments

THE Government of the Bahamas yesterday issued a diplomatic note to the Governments of Malaysia, China, and the United States to distance itself from remarks made by Opposition leader Dr Hubert Minnis who remarked that the Christie administration “is more lost than the Malaysian Airline the world is looking for”.

Mitchell: Male health a factor in lifespan reduction

HEALTH statistics on Bahamian men were a major factor in a two-year drop in overall life expectancy recorded by global health agencies, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday.

Mitchell says US alert issue should be put to rest

FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday said the issue of the US Embassy warning Americans about crime in the Bahamas should be put to rest.

Mitchell silent over visa probe

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday remained tightlipped over the investigation into suspected visa irregularities at the Bahamas’ Embassy in Haiti.

Mitchell: Granting of asylum is no condemnation

REPORTS that Bahamians have been granted asylum in Canada should not be viewed as a condemnation of the country’s human rights record, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday.

Mitchell leads delegation to Haiti for migration talks

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell led a delegation to Haiti yesterday for bilateral talks on the issues of human trafficking, human smuggling and co-operation in agriculture.

Mitchell emphasises need for proper succession planning

THE need for proper succession planning in the Bahamas was emphasised by Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell during his address to new employees of his ministry yesterday.

Push for talks on reparations

FOLLOWING the unanimous adoption of an action plan to pursue reparations for African slavery and native genocide, CARICOM nations will now prepare for a June conference with Europe to negotiate the issue ahead of making a formal claim.

Bi-lateral talks on Haitian migration

BI-LATERAL talks between the government and Haiti on migration issues will start next week, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell confirmed yesterday.

Mitchell blasts letter from Munroe as ‘deceitful’

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday branded as “misplaced, ill conceived and deceitful” a letter from Bahamas Faith Ministries President Dr Myles Munroe to Prime Minister Perry Christie.

Mitchell ‘open to becoming leader’

FRED Mitchell, Fox Hill MP says he is still open to vying for the leadership of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) should the vacancy arise.

Mitchell calls Munroe ‘ignorant and anti-PLP’ in LBGT rights row

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell yesterday accused Dr Myles Munroe of being “ignorant” and “anti-PLP” after calling for Prime Minister Perry Christie to remove him from his ministerial post.

Cubans pulled from sinking ship - but detention centre is full

COAST Guard officers rescued 23 Cubans from a sinking ship in waters near Cay Sal on Sunday.

Bahamas 'to consider medicinal marijuana'

THE Bahamas government will consider the issue of medicinal marijuana as part of a regional body next month, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell confirmed yesterday.

Mitchell denies govt involved in human smuggling

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell denied yesterday that the Bahamian government is involved in the smuggling of illegal migrants to the United States.

Mitchell: US could cut assistance over Bahamas stance on LGBT rights

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday warned that a negative stance on LGBT rights as human rights abuses could engender cutbacks in US assistance.

410 migrants repatriated in under two months

IMMIGRATION officials have repatriated 410 migrants in less than two months, according to Immigration statistics revealed yesterday.

Monument in honour of Fox Hill shooting victims

A MONUMENT is set be created in honour of the victims of last month’s Freedom Park shootings, Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell announced.

Mitchell backs ID card to tackle immigration

A NATIONAL ID card could unravel the complex and contentious issue of regularisation for persons born in the Bahamas to migrants.

NATIONAL ID CARD PLANS GO BEFORE CABINET

IMMIGRATION Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday a proposal on the introduction of a National Identification Card is now before Cabinet for its consideration.

Mitchell backs immigration officers in row

IMMIGRATION Minister Fred Mitchell defended Immigration officers yesterday who were accused of “roughing up” a top banker during a road block on Tuesday.

‘Justice must be seen to be done in Misick case’

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell says justice must be done and must be seen to be done in the Turks and Caicos Islands after its former Premier Michael Misick was extradited from Brazil yesterday.

NATIONAL ID CARD BEING CONSIDERED BY GOVERNMENT

IMMIGRATION Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday the Government is considering introducing a National Identification Card as well as charging persons who knowingly hire illegal immigrants in an effort to deal with the country’s long standing illegal migration problem.

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