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REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE ON IRREGULAR MOVEMENTS BY SEA IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION:

Panelist Discussion: “Irregular migration by Sea: A Global Challenge - Challenges in the Caribbean and Best Practices”

18-20 March 2013Jakarta, Indonesia

Mrs. Cleola HamiltonParliamentary Secretary

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ImmigrationThe Bahamas

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THE CARIBBEAN

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Regional Overview

Migration within the Caribbean Sub-Region

The number of migrants in Caribbean countries from other Countries in the Region has increased

On average 3% of Caribbean countries populations can be considered migrants

Lowest percentage of migrants are found in Jamaica, Guyana, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Haiti

Main push factors are: Declining economic and social conditions; High unemployment; Little hope for improvement in the near future

Source: Migration in the Caribbean, ECLAC, 2006

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Regional Overview Cont’d Trends in Caribbean Irregular Migration: The pattern of Movement

Generally irregular movement from the poorest countries to other Caribbean countries, and the shortest distance from the origin Country

Countries with basic coastguard surveillance are more likely to be recipients of more illegal migrants

Source: Migration in the Caribbean, ECLAC, 2006

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Regional Overview Cont’dCASES Trinidad and Tobago

Deported more than 750 immigrants over a two year period 2011-2012 Over 400 were from Guyana

In 2012, there were reportedly 482 persons deported 283 were from Guyana 60 were from Jamaica 16 were from Dominican Republic 10 from were from St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Source: www.newsday.co.tt/politics

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THE BAHAMAS EXPERIENCE

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THE BAHAMAS EXPERIENCE Challenged with inability to control the large influx of illegal migrants

by sea because of the large territory of water borders The Department of Immigration has listed the Haitian Nationals as

the department’s number one challengeo Illegal landingso Recent deaths at seao Overstaying

Trend in maritime is the smuggling of migrants of different nationalities from the Caribbean

On Islands with large Haitian migrant populations, residents have established underground networks

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COSTS TO THE BAHAMAS Repatriation Costs by Air

$0.00

$500,000.00

$1,000,000.00

$1,500,000.00

$2,000,000.00

$2,500,000.00

$3,000,000.00

$3,500,000.00

Year

Ba

ha

mia

n D

olla

rs

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MIGRANTS MODES OF TRANSPORTATION

Vessels have evolved over the years from wooden sailing sloops, to wooden sloops and steel-hull cargo vessels

Vessels generally carry between 20 and 250 migrants The types and conditions of the vessels introduce other

problemsHealth Safety

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DETECTION IN THE BAHAMAS Majority of detections are in the southern Bahama Islands around Inagua, Mayaguana, the Exuma chain Most detected illegal immigrants are Haitians and Cubans

Source: Mappery.com

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Royal Bahamas Defence Force Patrol Vessels

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GROUP OF ILLEGAL MIGRANTS INTERCEPTED IN BAHAMIAN WATERS

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SCREENING 14 persons from relevant agencies trained on UNHCR

standards

In keeping with UNHCR Protocols, migrants are careful screened by trained Immigration Officers, which includes interviews

The interviews are then reviewed by a trained non constituted panel of officers trained on UNHCR standards, for a decision on whether their cases are seemingly legitimate

Final recommendations are put to the Executive Branch of Government to ascertain whether The Bahamas will afford the potential asylum seeker protection in The Bahamas

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TRAFFICKING IN PERSON (TIP) The Bahamas has become a transit area for persons clandestinely migrating to the

United States, particularly economic immigrants from Haiti and Cuba In 2011, the Government established Inter-Ministry Committee on Trafficking in

Persons (TIP Committee) The TIP Committee makes policy recommendations to the Government to

strengthen national initiatives to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons.

The TIP Committee comprises senior Government officials from the Ministries of National Security, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Social Services, and Health and, Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs, Royal Bahamas Police Force Royal Bahamas Defence Force Departments of Immigration and Customs, NGOs and faith-based organizations are invited to participate in the work of the

CommitteeThe Trafficking in Persons Task Force (TIP Task Force) was established in March

2012, as an operational body to address trafficking in persons cases, from the identification of a victim to the prosecution of an alleged trafficker.

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BEST PRACTICES The Bahamas found several methods successful in detecting and

capturing illegal migrants at sea Anticipation- Bahamian authorities anticipate an influx of irregular

migration during certain times of the year, i.e. Christmas, and other holidays, and conflict and hardships in the country. During those times of the year, Immigration authorities increase patrol vessels;

Recent placement of Defense Force plane on the southern island of Inagua;

The use of “spotter” airplane to determine location of migrate vessels, prior to deploying patrol vessels to intercept them

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Cooperation and Coordination in the Caribbean

Comprehensive Maritime Agreement

The Bahamas and Cuba Territorial Delimitation Agreement

Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI)

CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS)

Memorandum of Understanding between International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

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Bahamas-USA Bilateral Comprehensive Maritime Agreement

Agreement between The Government of The Bahamas and the United States which permits, in part, that U.S Coast Guard vessels to patrol the waters of The Bahamas in an effort to increase maritime security between the two Countries.

If vessels are captured in Bahamian waters, the U.S. must determine if the vessels bear any connection to The Bahamas, i.e. Bahamians on board Boat registered in The Bahamas

Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT)

Joint Cooperation between The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the United States

The U.S. regularly assist with: prosecuting human smuggling, irregular immigration detection and interdiction search and rescue cases throughout Bahamian

waters and the surrounding high seas.

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The Bahamas and Cuba Territorial Delimitation Agreement

October 2011 The Bahamas and the Republic of Cuba signed an Agreement delimiting their maritime boundaries, after almost 40 years of negotiations.

This Agreement now allows better monitoring and surveillance of The Bahamas Cuba border.

The Bahamas and Cuba Territorial Delimitation Agreement

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Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) CBSI brings all members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Dominican Republic,

to collaborate on regional security with the United States as a partner. The United States is making a significant contribution to CBSI, committing $203 million in funding for the first three years of the initiative which began in 2010

Objectives to deal with the threats facing the Caribbean: Substantially Reduce Illicit Trafficking: through programs ranging from counternarcotics to reducing the

flow of illegal arms/light weapons. Increase Public Safety and Security: through programs ranging from reducing crime and violence to

improving border security. Promote Social Justice: through programs designed to promote justice sector reform, combat

government corruption, and assist vulnerable populations at risk of recruitment into criminal organizations

Source: U.S . Department of State

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CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) The Agency is the centre of the Region’s new multilateral Crime and Security

management architecture, specifically designed to administer a collective response to the Crime and Security priorities of Member States.

Some of the main functions include: Migration data collection, and sharing for security purposes through the

Regional Advance Passenger Information System (APIS); The implementation of actions agreed by the Council relating to crime and

security; Advising the Council on appropriate regional responses to Crime and Security

arrangements on the basis of research and analysis; Mobilizing resources in support of the regional Crime and Security agenda and

negotiation of technical assistance; The collaboration and co-ordination with national and international crime

prevention and control agencies to determine trends, methodologies and strategies for crime prevention and enhancing security for the Community.

Source: http://www.caricomimpacs.org

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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM) AND THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM)

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) pledging closer cooperation in activities related to migration.

The two Organizations agreed to focus on cooperation and joint efforts, including: Technical cooperation and capacity building on migration; Mutual assistance in activities related to migration management best

practices, migration, development and human rights of migrants; Dissemination of information; and Joint participation in programmes in pursuit of the common interest of IOM

and CARICOM.

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MAJOR CHALLENGES Insufficient Human Resources in the forms of Immigration, investigation and

Enforcement Officers; The Border Patrol authorities lack sufficient patrol vessels; The Bahamas large territory of water; OPBAT helicopters were removed due to U.S budget constraints. Local small craft ferry migrants from smuggler’s vessels offshore to land Mixed Migratory Flows

Asylum Seekers Economic Migrants Trafficking in Person victims The authorities must deal with different types of migrants in different

capacity, which significantly extend the resources of the Country.

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MAJOR CHALLENGES CONT’D

Mixed Migratory Flows Asylum Seekers Economic Migrants Trafficking in Person victims The authorities must deal with different types of migrants in different

capacity, which significantly extend the resources of the Country.

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The Way Forward

The way forward in decreasing the illegal flow of migrants by way of the maritime environment will require: the continued tightening up of security via sustained air

and sea patrols with the assistance of bases established along strategic checkpoints to facilitate patrol efforts

The stemming of migrant smuggling will also require enhanced cooperation between affected nations through effective information sharing, effective communication networks, and joint operations, all of which are being addressed

 

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CONCLUSION

Illegal migration is expected to remain at high levels as long as home countries of undocumented migrants continue to experience political, economic and social instability. With the Bahamas lying between the world’s wealthiest nation and both the Hemisphere’s most impoverished nation, Haiti, and the Hemisphere’s only communist nation, Cuba, The Bahamas will continue to be a natural bridge for the fulfillment of dreams and aspirations of many migrants, who seek to gain entrance into the United States.