Weekend scarred by three murders

from page one multiple gunshot injuries. needs to put more emphasis on vetting people that are joining our armed forces.

“They can’t just pick up any willy-nilly person off the street because their uncle is the commissioner or deputy commissioner. You need to mentally vet these people to see where they’re at.”

Another Abaconian, who works at a business establishment in Hope Town, recalled an incident when plain-clothed immigration officers entered the shop, behaving rather “aggressively” towards Haitian customers.

“We had a few Haitians who was there who they asked for ID and I had a friend who did that but not everybody could do it but they (the officers) were so aggressive. They were drinking and they were not professional at all.

“You could do the job, but it’s how you do it because at the end of the day, they are still human, and they have this (perception) that every Haitian is illegal.”

She added that there are Haitians in Abaco legally, and who contribute to NIB.

When contacted by The Tribune yesterday, Rudolph Ferguson, assistant director of immigration, said he was not aware of the allegations as no complaints had been filed to the department to his knowledge.

“I would say this, there is an ongoing continuous investigation in the Abaco district,” he added, “and we do intend to continue these investigations and where we find undocumented persons in any area, then the full extent of the law will be applied.”

Notwithstanding this, he agreed that every human being had rights and advised concerned Abaco residents to make an official complaint to the immigration department, assuring them that the matter will be investigated.

Over the years, there have been multiple claims of abuse by immigration officers, with this newspaper reporting several stories on the matter.

Just last month, a video circulated on social media, showing two immigration officers slapping and hitting two Haitian barbers several times.

An investigation into the incident was launched shortly after the video went viral, but it is not clear if those investigations have been completed.