By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

IMMIGRATION Minister Brent Symonette was tightlipped yesterday over plans to address the anticipated wave of illegal migrants amid Haiti’s political unrest.

Addressing concerns as to how the government intends to handle a potential increase in Haitian migrant numbers following its decision to halt deportations, Mr Symonette insisted there is a system “ready to go” if need be.

Nonetheless, he said, the details of that system could not be made public as the Department of Immigration looks to guard against potential counter efforts.

The Immigration department yesterday announced the apprehension of 21 Haitians and two Jamaicans through various operations last Friday, February 15.

They are expected to be arraigned in Magistrate’s Court this week; however, it is not clear whether Haitian migrants will be detained at the detention centre or the prison if convicted.

There are four dorms at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre with a maximum capacity of 80 persons. The Tribune understands the number of migrants now at the facility exceeds 100 persons, however, this was not confirmed by Mr Symonette.

Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, the St Anne’s MP said his ministry was prepared to handle all sides of the dilemma.

“There is a plan,” he said. “For the sake of that plan, I don’t want to go public with it at this time, but I assure you there is a plan.”

His comments came days after both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) pointed to the increase in violent protests across Port-au-Prince as the main reason for the suspension of diplomatic services there.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled all diplomatic personnel for consultations as it decides how and when to reconvene services.

In accordance with this decision, the OPM subsequently announced the temporary suspension of all deportations to Haiti.

It was also announced that the Government is preparing a temporary detention centre in Mathew Town, Inagua, which will be staffed with personnel from relevant ministries and government agencies, as a protective measure.

Last Friday, an ongoing joint operation between law enforcement agencies and the Bahamas Immigration Department arrested 11 Haitians and one Jamaican at various locations throughout New Providence.

Another Haitian man was arrested at the Lynden Pindling International Airport that same day, shortly after disembarking a Bahamasair inbound flight from Mathew Town, Inagua.

In a separate incident, a Jamaican man was also arrested at the Lynden Pindling International Airport after having been found to have overstayed his time.

Meanwhile on Eleuthera, an island-wide apprehension exercise led to the arrest of nine Haitians, who have been taken to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.