MIGRANT DEPORTATIONS DOUBLE IN FIRST HALF OF 2005

UNCLAS NASSAU 001173

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR BILL BENT AND PRM KPERKINS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SMIG PREL EFIN BF
SUBJECT: MIGRANT DEPORTATIONS DOUBLE IN FIRST HALF OF 2005

REF: NASSAU 454


1. Minister of Labor and Immigration Vincent Peet reported
during the House of Assembly's budget debate in June that
Bahamian authorities had apprehended and repatriated 2165
illegal migrants between January 1, 2005, and June 15, 2005.
The number of repatriations more than doubled from the same
period in 2004. Thus far in 2005, the GOB has spent $318,037
to send illegal immigrants back to their home countries.
Minister Peet warned that The Bahamas could eventually have
to apply to the International Organization for Migration
(IOM) for assistance in paying the mounting repatriation bill.


2. Minister Peet reported that the Bahamian government spent
$521,111 in 2004 repatriating 3034 illegal immigrants who
were apprehended in The Bahamas. The three major nationality
groups were Haitians (2500),Jamaicans (334) and Cubans
(106).


3. COMMENT: In addition to traditional at-sea migrant
interdictions, Bahamian authorities have stepped up on-land
round-ups in 2005. The increased deportations are in part a
response to the December 2004 fire and uprising led by Cuban
detainees at the Carmichael Road Immigration Detention Center
and two days of low-level violence by Haitian immigrants
against police in January 2005 following a traffic accident
(reftel).

ROOD