NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) — The Bahamas Government has dismissed reports that it is offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of illegal immigrants in the country.

In a brief statement, the Department of Immigration said that a recent statement being circulated on social media and reported by at least one local media house “about the offer of rewards by the department for information leading to the arrest of illegal migrants is patently false.

“It is not an announcement from the Department of Immigration or any government agency and should be ignored and not circulated.”

The statement said that given the relatively high volume of disinformation on social media, the department was urging the public to “exercise caution and restraint when sharing suspicious and potentially harmful content on this medium”.

Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell has reminded new recruits of the importance and sensitivity of their roles.

Addressing a graduation ceremony for new immigration recruits, Mitchell noted that there was need for 900 officers, three times the present size, given the demands upon the department.

 “So, I’m looking for 300 more immigration officers. We need them and the country needs them.”

He told the graduating officers that “as minister of immigration, I describe our role as quasi-judicial.

“In other words, you are like a judge and when someone appears before you and ask for leave to enter The Bahamas, or for a work permit, you are making a decision according to law. Not on a whim, not on a fancy and not on prejudice, but according to law.

“Remember also that many people will come to you and offer you this gift or that gift or make promises to do certain things for you. They will try to get you to do anything for their nefarious end. But when you get in trouble, bush crack, they are gone.

“Look around at the pride on the faces of the people who are here today to support you, imagine how your family and friends would feel if you got into trouble because of someone’s wrong intent. So do not surrender in any way to temptation,” he added.