Haitian migrant apprehensions in Bahamian territory are up significantly this year compared to previous years.
Confirmation of the increased seizures comes from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Commodore, Dr. Raymond King.
Commodore King believes this is a result of increased numbers of Haitians fleeing their poverty-stricken homeland, where political and social unrest has risen sharply in recent months.
He told the Nassau Guardian yesterday that 2,250 migrants—the majority of whom were Haitian—were apprehended in Bahamian waters so far this year.
According to RBDF data, 342 migrants were apprehended in 2019, 249 in 2020, and 1,644 in 2021.
King said he expects 2022 to be a record year for migrant apprehensions.
