Statement by Fred Mitchell MP on the Immigration Statement of Opposition Spokesman Hubert Chipman MP of 1 December 2015:
The Bahamas government constantly reviews all
matters relating to intelligence and security at the borders from time to
time.The country should know that this
occurs regularly. All the heads of the
law enforcement agencies meet regularly to exchange information and make joint
plans.There is a constant exchange of
information at both a national and international levels.
The country should know that the immigration law has
been amended to increase the penalties
for offences under the Immigration Act.
The country should know that 18 million dollars are being
invested in a new border management system. This will mean new passports, new electronic procedures for entry into
The Bahamas and the ability to exchange information accords between various law enforcement
data bases.
The country should know that The Bahamas has signed on
to the APIS system which allows the exchange of valuable information on passenger
traffic into The Bahamas.
Legislation will be introduced shortly so that this
system can go live.
The country should know that there have been successful
prosecutions under the new laws for harbouring
illegal immigrants, for assisting illegal landing.
Repatriations continue unabated.
What concerns the government however is that the Opposition
is unable to restrain its friends in the activist community who seem intent on
tying up the courts in frivolous and vexatious litigation, racking up unnecessary
court costs to prove points that are not exactly earth shattering in law.
This together with the international cries of wolf
by their activist friends are causes for concern. Their activist friends spread alarm
in this country and abroad and unwittingly (we hope) provide cover for people who
are engaged in these criminal
enterprises bringing illegals in and through this country.
It would be appropriate for the Opposition spokesman
to use his influence to ask their activist friends to cease and desist with
this.
Another concern is that the penalties that are being
imposed in the Courts do not seem to reflect the policy change made by the Government
when the law was amended to provide for more severe penalties.
We try our best with the resources within our
command and work with partners both national and international to ensure that
the country is safe.
If the Opposition’s spokesman wishes a briefing on what
is being done, we would be happy to provide one for him.
