Bahamas Government Outlines Cost of Repatriation Exercises Since 2000.

Hon Branville McCartney, right, with His Excellency Harold Joseph, Ambassador of Haiti to The Bahamas on March 16, 2009. The two discussed the illegal Haitian immigration situation and ways to curb the influx . (BIS Photo/Kristaan H. A. Ingraham II)

As a part of his contribution to the Budget Debate on June 8th, 2009, the Hon. W. A Branville McCartney, M.P., Minister of State For Immigration presented figures outlining the cost of repatriation of illegal immigrants for his department . "This exercise continues to be very expensive and absorbs much of the department’s budget," he told the House of Assembly. The figures outlined in the table below indicate that over 80% of the persons repatriated from The Bahamas between 2000 and 2008, were Haitian Nationals. This equated to 44,614 Haitians out of a total of 54,328 repatriated persons. Of the 2,256 illegals repatriated during January – May  2009, the Minister of State pointed out that "again", 1,998 were Haitian Nationals.

Mr. McCartney emphasized that the apprehension exercise of illegal immigrants is one of our greatest challenges amidst its high level of controversy because of the public and the media at times. "However, the Immigration Department continues to persist and be courageous in its relentless effort to rid The Bahamas of all illegal immigrants," he added.

He continued, "the Enforcement Unit of the Department must be congratulated for their diligence. These men and women, like the Police and the Defence Force Officers, place their lives at risk to enforce the immigration laws of the land."

In reference to The Detention Centre, a facility that has garnered international attention in recent months, the Minister of State said: "During this year 2009, we have been able to supply each dormitory with a television set, new sleeping mattresses, the recreation area has also been improved, detainees are allowed to go on the outside and sit on newly built benches, improvement was made to the playground, the laundry, the library and the security area." About the menu he added that the centre has added nutritional food to the menu and that three meals per day are served with fruits and soft drinks.