NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas Department of Immigration, Ministry of National Security, launched its fully integrated system for the issuance of Electronic Identification Cards on 7th April, 2008.
The Cards will be issued to holders of Work Permits, Permanent Residence Certificates, Permits to Reside, Home Owners and Resident Spouse Permits. The system will also greatly enhance the processing of immigration documents and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the services rendered by the Department of Immigration to the public. Persons applying for permits must present themselves to the Department of Immigration to be fingerprinted and to sign off on their permits.
The safety of the traveling public and the protection of national borders are now a priority to countries around the globe. Governments are advocating, and putting in place, fraud proof electronic systems that cannot easily be compromised by persons engaged in illicit activities. These systems help to more effectively protect the borders in the interest of national security.
The Electronic Identification Card system of the Department of Immigration brings the Department in line with international developments in this area. The Electronic Cards will make it possible for the Department of Immigration to better manage border clearance, monitor persons placed on the Restricted and Stop Lists and more effectively deal with apprehension and deportation matters.
Prior to the implementation of the Electronic Identification Card system, Indusa, a company with extensive experience in Electronic Border Control System based in Greenville, South Carolina, worked closely with the management and users in the Department of Immigration to design, install and put the system into operation. Familiarization seminars and training sessions were conducted to prepare staff to manage the system.
Speaking about the implementation of the Electronic Identification Card system, Director of Immigration, Mr. Vernon Burrows, said we decided to implement a chip-based e-ID solution with facial scans and fingerprints, and a Border Control System that tags each passport holder with his immigration card. This would enable the Department to protect our country’s borders from illegal immigration, criminals, terrorist activities and an illicit workforce.
The biometric based system would allow the Department of Immigration to efficiently and effectively monitor persons who enter The Bahamas as visitors, who are residents or to engage in gainful employment in the country.
As the Department adjusts to its new system, the Director of Immigration is asking the public to kindly exercise patience in immigration clearance areas at our ports of entry and at Headquarters, as the officers and staff endeavour to improve their service to the public. The Department thanks the public for its understanding.
