Immigration Corruption in The Bahamas?

By James Julmis

Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas

It has been brought to public attention, including via a circulated voice note, that an Immigration Officer allegedly attempted to extort the sum of $500 from a Haitian national. According to the allegations, the individual was only able to provide $150, after which the officer allegedly issued threats to conduct raids on the homes of other Haitian nationals in the area should the remaining amount not be paid. Even more concerning, the voice note allegedly contains statements in which the officer boasts about “protecting” Haitian nationals in exchange for monetary payment.

If substantiated, these actions would amount to gross misconduct, corruption, abuse of public office, intimidation, and possible criminal extortion, all of which severely undermine public trust in law enforcement and immigration institutions.

Given the gravity of these allegations, I respectfully but firmly request the following:

1. An immediate and impartial investigation by the relevant authorities, including the Immigration Department and THE RBPF.

2. Identification and suspension (pending investigation) of the individual heard on the voice note, should the authenticity be confirmed.

3. Protection for the alleged victim(s) and witnesses, particularly members of the Haitian community who may fear retaliation.

4. A formal update to the public or relevant stakeholders on the status and outcome of the investigation, in the interest of transparency and accountability.

5. That, if the allegations are proven, the individual responsible be held fully accountable under the law, including disciplinary and criminal proceedings where appropriate.

No public officer should be permitted to exploit vulnerable individuals or use the authority of the State as a tool for personal enrichment or intimidation. Failure to address such conduct decisively risks normalizing corruption and eroding confidence in national security and immigration enforcement.

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