Some 250 Bahamians are living in limbo in the United States more than a month after the passage of deadly Hurricane Dorian, according to Bahamian Consul General in Miami Linda Mackey.
Mackey said 60 per cent of those Bahamian evacuees in Florida are from Abaco, and are living week-to-week on the support of local charities.
Her comments came as Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis advised those evacuees “must now return”.
“I know that Bahamians were placed in shelters in the Florida area and I would have said repeatedly with international agencies that those Bahamians must now return because the U.S. would have given them a certain length of time,” said Minnis, when asked about the matter at a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister.
“Many of them would be accommodated. If they’re from Abaco, they would be accommodated in the Family Relief Centres that we are constructing and similarly in Grand Bahama.
“But accommodations are being made for them to return home because they are needed to help rebuild The Bahamas.”
Dorian, the strongest storm to hit the northwest Bahamas, left thousands displaced and at least 65 dead.
Hundreds remain missing.
More than a month later, Grand Bahama and Abaco remain in recovery mode without electricity and potable water in severely impacted areas.
Mackey noted while school-aged children have been allowed in public schools in the cities, the evacuees are not allowed to work as they only hold U.S. visitors’ visas.
She added the evacuees have been told not to seek employment, which could “jeopardize their visa status”.
Following the deadly Category 5 storm, the White House stated Bahamian evacuees would not be granted temporary protected status (TPS), which would have allowed them to live and work in the country.
“[Customs and] Border Patrol is aware,” Mackey continued.
“They were at our first meeting. We had border patrol. We had immigration representation. We had the Red Cross. We had the Catholic Charities. We pretty much informed them in as much as possible what their options are.
“Right now, we have to clear an exit plan because time is now expiring and there’s really not much options to keep them here.
Yesterday, Minnis addressed evacuees during a press conference to announce recovery and restoration efforts on Abaco.
The government has announced it will spend approximately $6.4 million on temporary housing for displaced Hurricane Dorian victims near Spring City, Abaco.
The Family Relief Centre covers 12 acres of land, and will feature 250 dome structures that includes plumbing, drainage, a sewer system, and electricity.
Minnis said the center will be in place for two years until individuals and families move into permanent housing.
He added that public schools on the island are expected to reopen in January.
