Illegal immigration has haunted the Abaco for years. The Mud ﾖ the larger of Marsh Harbour’s two squatter settlements ﾖ is home to more than 5,000 people, mostly illegal Haitian immigrants.
But Stephen Pedican, North Abaco’s chief district councillor, revealed the recent concerns of frustrated Abaconians in an interview with The Guardian.
He said, “We have the criminal element to deal with because if these [illegal immigrants] can’t find jobs, some might resort to criminal activity.”
According to Mr Pedican there is also an increase in the number of Haitians being deported from the United States back to Abaco. He explained that some of these deportees have criminal pasts.
“[They] were residents of Abaco at some point and they migrated to the US and got into trouble over there,” he explained. “So we’re concerned that they might have a police record in the United States.
“We feel that all this needs to be looked at so we know exactly what these guys were doing in the US,” he continued. “They could be criminals just coming back here and next thing you know we have a criminal element growing here.”
The Abaco official also brought to light one of the most recent crimes being perpetrated by illegals on the island. He said Ministry of Works officials had discovered that illegal Haitians in North Abaco are operating a full-scale strip cub in a building near the island’s Treasure Cay Airport.
“This building is used as a strip club, night-club, and out in the back of the property they had a pen built and they were having cock fights,” he said. “Now the authorities went in and took down that pen where they were having the cock fights.
Mr Pedican said the club, which is frequented by illegal immigrants as well as Bahamians, opens only on weekends.
“[The activities] only happen on weekends because there is no electricity or running water,” he continued. “So they bring their generators down and power the place up.”
But the Abaco official has admitted that illegal activities are still being carried out at the night-club. He insisted that despite the setbacks, he hoped the issue could be resolved soon.
By: JASMIN BONIMY, The Nassau Guardian
