SURGE IN INTERDICTIONS OF HAITIAN MIGRANTS

UNCLAS NASSAU 002086

SIPDIS

NORTHCOM AND SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SMIG PREF PREL PGOV BF
SUBJECT: SURGE IN INTERDICTIONS OF HAITIAN MIGRANTS



1. SUMMARY: The U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted over 300
illegal Haitian migrants in five separate interdictions since
November 5, a higher rate than usual. Deputy Prime Minister
Pratt and other Bahamian officials have expressed directly to
the DCM their concerns at the increased number of migrants.
The Bahamian Defense Force has moved one of its ships into
the Windward Passage just north of Haiti and will work with
the U.S. Coast Guard to maintain a visible deterrent presence
off the coast. END SUMMARY.

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More than 300 Haitians Interdicted
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2. The U.S. Coast Guard has interdicted 306 Haitians in five
separate incidents in the four days since November 5. The
majority of the vessels were stopped south of Great Inagua at
the southern end of the Bahamian archipelago, one or two days
into their journey.

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Bahamian Officials Worried
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3. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Security
Cynthia Pratt expressed her concern at the recent increase in
interdictions to the DCM at an event on November 7. Labor
and Immigration Minister Vincent Peet and MFA Permanent
Secretary Patricia Rodgers also phoned to express similar

SIPDIS
sentiments.


4. The Bahamian Defense Force has moved one of its ships
closer to the coast of Haiti. The Defense Force will work
closely with the increased number of U.S. Coast Guard assets
in the area to maintain a highly visible presence in an
effort to discourage potential migrants.


5. COMMENT: The recent run of good weather in the region is
one possible explanation for the increased number of
interdictions. There is also, however, uncertainty regarding
U.S. intentions on Temporary Protected Status. Many of the
thousands of illegal Haitians in The Bahamas, well-connected
to the communities in Florida and Haiti, might rightly or
wrongly view the possibility of "status" in the United States
as a sufficient incentive to launch a journey toward the U.S.


WITAJEWSKI