The government of The Bahamas has announced a measure aimed at making it harder for migrants to work in the country and said it was considering additional restrictions, according to the Associated Press.
The report said that the plan appeared mostly aimed at the large numbers of Haitians who have settled in the country in recent years.
Under a new rule that goes into effect right away, no work permits will be granted to anyone who does not have legal status in The Bahamas. In addition, anyone who applies without legal status will be arrested and deported.
The Cabinet also is considering measures that include a permanent ban on giving legal status to anyone ever deported from the Bahamas, AP said.
Other proposed restrictions include a requirement that Haitians seeking work permits could be required to pay additional processing fees and appear in person at the Bahamas Embassy in Port-au-Prince.
