The Detention Center, which is already holding twice its capacity, had to take on another 66 Haitian migrants yesterday after they were rounded up in Bahamian waters.
According to a statement from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Haitians were apprehended in waters near The Exumas.
"While on routine patrol shortly after 9 a.m. on Sunday, Defence Force vessel HMBS P-49 under the command of Lieutenant Omar Saunders spotted a 40-ft. Haitian sailing sloop approximately 18 miles southwest of Harvey Cay [in the Exuma chain]. Upon further investigation, they discovered the migrants aboard the vessel. Because of the unsanitary and overcrowded condition of the vessel, the Haitian migrants were removed and placed aboard HMBS P-4," said the statement.
The migrants -- 46 men, 11 women and 9 children -- were reportedly transported to the Defence Force Base around 3:30 p.m. and subsequently taken to the Carmichael Road Detention Center by immigration officials.
They joined another 200 migrants currently housed in the cramped center.
Minster of State for Immigration Branville McCartney told The Nassau Guardian that immigration officials were having a difficult time sustaining the number of Illegal immigrants coming into the country.
He explained that the Detention Center only has the capacity to hold about 100 people.
Yesterday's interception comes just days after McCartney said the department is beefing up its efforts in terms of apprehensions and repatriations.
Read Full Story written by KRYSTEL ROLLE
