By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THOUSANDS of Bahamians have sought refuge abroad, with 2,742 officially registered as refugees or asylum seekers, according to a new regional migration report by the International Organization for Migration.

The report, which tracks migration trends across 21 English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries, shows 175 Bahamian nationals classified as refugees and 2,567 as asylum seekers. However, the data offers no detail on where these people are located, why they left, or what circumstances led to their claims for protection.

While other sections of the IOM report highlight country-specific profiles for vulnerable populations, including Venezuelan, Haitian, and Cuban migrants, there is no corresponding analysis for Bahamian asylum seekers.

The report confirms The Bahamas remains a key destination for migrants in the region. As of mid-2024, the country hosted 67,493 international migrants — 17 percent of the national population. Haitians account for the largest share, with 17,735 people, followed by Americans (5,325) and Jamaicans (2,582).

Between 2021 and 2024, The Bahamas forcibly returned 7,721 Haitian nationals, according to data collected at border points by IOM Haiti. Of those deported, 61 percent had been employed in the construction sector prior to their removal, while 12 percent had been working in skilled or technical jobs. The majority were returned alone, without family members.

At the time of deportation, 67 percent of people had been employed, and 20 percent were self-employed. According to post-deportation interviews, 87 percent of those returned from The Bahamas intended to leave Haiti again within six months, citing economic necessity.

The Bahamas also plays a central role in money being transferred between nations in the region. In 2023, migrants in The Bahamas sent $261m abroad — the second-highest remittance outflow in the Caribbean. Much of that money is believed to support households in Haiti, Jamaica, and the United States.

In contrast, the country received only $42m in incoming remittances, making it a net exporter of funds. Outflows represented 1.8 percent of The Bahamas’ GDP.

The IOM report also notes that The Bahamas is home to 736 Cuban nationals and five Venezuelans considered part of the region’s vulnerable migrant population. These people often live without secure legal status or long-term support systems.