Faith Nyasuguta
The governments of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands have made it clear: their nations will not serve as dumping grounds for migrants deported under U.S. policies. In strong statements issued Thursday, the two Caribbean countries expressed opposition to reported plans by the incoming Trump administration to redirect migrants rejected by their home nations to these idyllic, sunlit islands.
Their responses followed an NBC News report indicating that the Trump administration was compiling a list of countries, including Panama, Grenada, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, to receive deportees. The Bahamas, positioned as a central figure in this narrative, was also named.
The Bahamas: A Firm “No”
In a statement from Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis, the government emphatically rejected the idea of hosting third-country deportees. “The Bahamas simply does not have the resources to accommodate such a request,” the statement declared, emphasizing that the government’s focus is squarely on the concerns of its own citizens.
Although Davis’ office acknowledged initial discussions on the matter, it confirmed that the proposal had been reviewed and firmly rejected. “There has been no further engagement or discussions with the Trump transition team or any other entity regarding this matter,” the statement noted, reinforcing that The Bahamas’ stance is unwavering.
The Bahamas has long struggled with migration challenges, particularly with undocumented individuals from Haiti, Cuba, and Venezuela, countries plagued by economic and political turmoil. These existing pressures make it even less feasible for the country to accept deportees who have no connection to the islands.
Turks and Caicos: Protecting National Sovereignty
The Turks and Caicos Islands, a British overseas territory located at the southern tip of The Bahamas, echoed similar sentiments. Arlington Musgrove, the territory’s minister of immigration and border services, emphasized the need to prioritize national security and sovereignty.
“Turks and Caicos, like all nations, has the sovereign right to determine who may reside within its borders,” Musgrove stated. “The unilateral imposition of third-country deportation policies is fundamentally at odds with international norms and legal standards.”
With a population of just 40,000, the islands are already grappling with significant challenges, including a surge in violent crime and irregular migration from neighboring Haiti. In 2023 alone, authorities intercepted over 4,000 undocumented Haitians in 32 operations, highlighting the region’s ongoing migration crisis. Although the number has decreased in 2024, more than 800 individuals have already been interdicted and returned this year.
Musgrove stressed that any proposal to send migrants to the islands would exacerbate existing issues, undermining both security and economic stability. He also raised concerns about the cultural, social, and humanitarian implications of such policies. “Displacing individuals to countries with which they have no connection disregards the impacts on receiving nations and the affected individuals,” he warned.
Regional Backlash to U.S. Deportation Policies
The Caribbean has a fraught history with U.S. deportation practices. Over the years, regional leaders have criticized successive American administrations for deporting individuals—often those who became criminals while living in the U.S., to their countries of origin. These policies, they argue, contribute to increased crime and destabilization in their already fragile economies.
In this context, the reported plan to redirect deportees to third countries marks a concerning shift. Under the proposed framework, migrants rejected by their home nations could be sent to Caribbean nations willing to accept them. While some countries, like Suriname, have agreed to accept refugees from Afghanistan under similar arrangements, such agreements remain rare.
Suriname’s case, however, is an outlier. A member of the 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) bloc, it recently partnered with the Biden administration to host refugees. But for most CARICOM members, including The Bahamas and Grenada, these arrangements are fraught with logistical and political challenges.
The Bahamas, for instance, does not recognize automatic birthright citizenship, which means even Haitian-descended individuals born within its borders may not be granted citizenship. This policy reflects broader regional struggles with undocumented migration and strained resources.
Balancing Diplomatic Relations
Both The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos have emphasized their commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic ties with the United States. However, they remain resolute in their opposition to any policies that would compromise their sovereignty or burden their immigration systems.
Musgrove captured this delicate balance, stating, “Our government remains committed to maintaining strong diplomatic relations with the United States and our other international partners. However, we are steadfast in protecting the interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands and upholding the integrity of our immigration system.”
The Trump administration’s reported plans reflect a continuation of U.S. efforts to offload deportees onto other nations. But such policies often disregard the realities faced by small island nations like The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. These nations are not only dealing with their own migration crises but also confronting broader challenges, such as economic instability, climate vulnerability, and, in the case of Turks and Caicos, escalating crime rates.
In Providenciales, the territory’s tourism hub, a surge in gun violence has resulted in 43 homicides this year alone. Police have reported multiple murders in a single day, highlighting the territory’s struggle to maintain law and order.
Adding to these pressures are the frequent arrivals of undocumented Haitians, fleeing their country’s worsening political and economic crisis. These realities make the prospect of accepting additional migrants unfeasible and potentially destabilizing.
As these Caribbean nations stand their ground, the broader regional bloc is likely to rally behind them, advocating for fairer and more cooperative approaches to addressing migration challenges. For now, the response from The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos serves as a reminder that even small nations can assert their sovereignty against global powers.
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