Prime Minister Phillip Davis repeated Nassau’s views on illegal immigration as well as the ongoing crisis in the neighbouring country of Haiti and claimed that although Bahamians are “a compassionate people,” they cannot afford to “shoulder any more burdens.”

On Sunday, Prime Minister Davis announced the beginning of “Operation Secure,” a joint security operation involving the Department of Immigration, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and the Defense Force, to handle security and immigration-related issues in ungoverned and illegal settlements.

He said that the best method to reduce the number of potential economic migrants arriving in The Bahamas every day is to stabilise the situation in Haiti, where attempts are being undertaken to organise long overdue presidential and legislative elections.

During their summit last Friday, CARICOM leaders released a statement on Haiti in which they reiterated the need for the 15-member regional integration organisation to take the lead in addressing the country’s deteriorating situation.