Only a day after capturing more than 80 undocumented Haitian migrants, immigration officials arrested another group of 51 early Tuesday off the Eastern Road – but “one or two of them reportedly escaped.
A sailing vessel lies broken in pieces against the Northern coastline on Eastern Road on Tuesday. οΎ Assistant Director of Immigration William Pratt told The Bahama Journal that the group of 43 males and eight females was spotted around 2am near the Eastern Road lighthouse.
Officials said after six hours, they succeeded in capturing all but just a few of the illegal migrants, who escaped in nearby bushes.
“Police were patrolling the area when they saw a group of persons trying to cross the street,” he explained.
Officials also reported that on Monday another group of 86 Haitians – 53 males and 33 females – was caught behind a home in the Yamacraw Shores area. But again, some got away.
Officials said there may be a reason why the influx of illegal immigrants appears to be growing in the eastern end of the island.
“I guess where they used to come – in the South Beach area – it’s now more populated,” Mr. Pratt said.
“Of course they can also come in better undetected in the eastern area, which could be a factor as well-They may have escaped, but eventually they will end up in the Carmichael Road area, Nassau Village and Fox Hill Road Haitian communities and the inner cities.”
Over the past few days, Defence Force and immigration officials have captured close to 300 illegal Haitian migrants.
Last Friday, Defence Force marines in the Exumas apprehended 120 undocumented Haitian nationals, who were reportedly trying to deceive the marines into thinking that they were en route to Haiti.
According to Mr. Pratt, favourable weather conditions along with other key factors have much to do with the influx.
“After interviewing a few of the immigrants, they have indicated that things are very, very bad in Haiti. Perhaps the economic conditions have worsened and also elections are drawing nigh and this usually breeds a lot of fear because of the massive killing. And so all these factors combined are perhaps causing this influx,” Mr. Pratt said.
According to Mr. Pratt, 114 undocumented Haitian migrants were repatriated to Haiti on Tuesday and a group of more than 100 was expected to leave on Wednesday.
According to officials, up to October, 3,112 Haitians were repatriated at a cost of over $600,000 to Bahamian taxpayers.
Mr. Pratt said there is a new trend developing.
“Lately, Haitian sloops do not come as crowded, except for the one that the Defence Force picked up in the Exumas,” he said.
“We believe that they are now traveling in fewer numbers, which also helps them to enter the country undetected because most of the time people believe that they may just be trading vessels and so the least amount of persons they can bring on these boats, the better they can smuggle.”
Statistics gathered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reveal that there are between 30,000 and 60,000 Haitian migrants in The Bahamas.
A source close to the interim Haitian government said Haitians continue to look for more opportunities.
“If the state cannot provide the people with jobs, they are forced to look for ways to leave the country,” he opined.
According to a report published by the Inter-American Dialogue, in April 2004, poverty and equality in Haiti continued to present massive problems, which have only been aggravated in recent months.
The Inter-American Dialogue claims to be the premier centre for policy analysis, exchange, and communication on issues in Western Hemisphere affairs.
The report noted that the country’s economic situation has worsened in recent years, with more than 70 percent of the population living on less than $2 a day.
The Inter-American Dialogue further noted that Haiti also suffers from misery and insecurity, deteriorating public health, environmental conditions and failing institutions.
Then there are also the continued concerns about political instability.
International reports indicate that poor organisation has resulted in the elections being delayed twice already.
The polls are now planned for some time between December 11 and18 under the United Nations supervision.
They will be the first since President Jean-Bertrand Aristide fled into exile in 2004.
By: Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
