BROOKLYN, NY – Members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Police Force and local fishermen, on Friday (Nov 9) intercepted a vessel with 60 undocumented Haitian migrants off the coast of Long Island in the Bahamas.

It’s reported that the vessel, a 40ft sailing sloop, was spotted approximately 16 nautical miles west of Deadman’s Cay. The migrants were taken aboard a vessel to be handed over to the relevant authorities.

Last month, The Bahamas deported more than 100 Haitian nationals, after Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis warned illegal migrants they should either leave the country voluntarily or be “forced to leave” following the passage of Hurricane Dorian in September.

The issue of illegal immigration from Haiti to the Bahamas has been a long-standing problem with Haitians being stigmatized in the country.