ARTICLE - ELEUTHERA - HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS

MORE HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS COME ASHORE IN ELEUTHERA
(Eleuthera News) -

Eleuthera, The Bahamas - Authorities in Eleuthera are once again having to deal with illegal Haitian immigrants showing up in groups on the island. In this latest event, On Thursday, May 17, authorities were alerted about illegal immigrants in the Deep Creek / Wemyss Bight area of South Eleuthera. Police and immigration captured 19 persons of Haitian nationality, who have since been sent on to the Capital for further processing. The first group of 8 persons were captured on Thursday, May 17th, with a second group of 11 taken into custody on Friday, May 18th.

As of midday on Monday, police and immigration said they had not yet located a vessel associated with this latest group of illegal immigrants. According to authorities, investigations are still on going and residents in the area are being asked to report any unusual or new faces in the communities. On election day May 7th, a 40 foot Haitian sloop anchored off Eleuthera and sent dozens of people into Hatchet Bay. Officials over two days rounded up 49 Haitian immigrants.

On March 4th authorities apprehended 13 Haitians on Windermere Island who were apparently dropped off on the island. Additionally another two were found in Hatchet Bay on the same day, trying to take a boat into Nassau.

At least 17 persons were known to come in at Twin Coves in Governor's Harbour on February 29th aboard a 15-20ft sloop that ran aground. Three of the immigrants were found over the next three days, dead in the rocks. Tourists on online forums reported a stench from the same area during the period. Authorities apprehended 14 others persons from the vessel.

On November 5th, 2011, a boat, reportedly registered in Abaco and on its way from Haiti, with more than 100 Haitian migrants, was found drifting at the southern end of Harbour Island near South Bar. These too were apprehended and repatriated.

The recent activity in Eleuthera, is unprecedented and officials are asking the public to advise immigration or police of any unusual sightings, or new faces observed within communities on island.