In an early morning operation last Tuesday, officers apprehended 201 immigrants in central New Providence. But 14 of those immigrants had to be released because they possessed documents proving they had legal status.
Now one of those 14 migrants is alleging that he was mistreated while in custody for more than five hours.
In an exclusive interview with The Nassau Guardian, the Oakes Field resident said he was on his way to work shortly after 6 am when his ordeal began.
“I just caught the bus and was going to work and about five minutes later immigration was on East Street stopping every bus that passed,” said the 39-year-old who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “Two immigration officers asked for everyone who had papers. I showed her my passport and residence permit.”
Despite producing the documents, the Haitian national alleged he was taken off the public bus and forced to wait along the roadside while officers continued to check vehicles.
But the man, who was born in Cape Haiti and is now married to a Bahamian woman, claimed the “nightmare” soon took a “degrading” turn.
“When they were loading everyone on to the immigration bus I was walking and one of the Defence Force officers said something to me,” he explained.
“I looked at him and didn’t say anything but I shook my head. He said ‘go,’ but I tried to explain that I had my documents. An immigration officer joined in and told me to get on the bus, but I shook my head and walked away.”
It was then that the father of one claimed the situation became violent.
“[The Immigration officer] called me back and said, ‘what happen to you?’ I didn’t say anything. I just looked at him because I’m thinking, what can he do to me? My breakfast was in my hand and the [officer] slapped it out and it fell to the ground.”
From there the Haitian national said they were taken to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, where the alleged abuse continued.
“They took us into this room to fill out some papers and I was trying to explain that I had legal status,” he said. “An Immigration officer, who didn’t have on a uniform, got into my face and told me when a officer speaks to me I’m not supposed to say anything or I can get charged or lose my documents.”
He also claimed one of the other detainees was slapped.
The Haitian national said he was released shortly after 11 o’clock that morning but more than a week later the incident still weighs heavily on his mind.
“I agree in them catching the people who are here illegally in this country,” he continued. “That’s normal, but if someone is legal in this country they’re not supposed to get the same treatment as someone who is illegal.”
Immigration officials could not be reached for comment yesterday but Immigration Minister Shane Gibson said recently the department was not breaking the law by arresting suspected illegal immigrants.
Mr Gibson pointed to chapter 191 (section 9) of the Immigration Act, which gives officers the right, with “reasonable” cause, to arrest those suspected of being here illegally.
By: JASMIN BONIMY, The Nassau Guardian
