Illegal migrants arrested in Nevis

A political firestorm is brewing in Nevis over the treatment of non-nationals, following reports that at least 30 people have been arrested since Friday in a police crackdown on illegal migrants.



Opposition spokesman Mark Brantley is claiming that the police acting on the order of the government, have been unceremoniously rounding up Guyanese and other immigrants in a politically motivated operation.



Brantley charged that the Nevis Reformation Party, NRP, of Premier Joseph Parry is seeking to blame members of the non-national community for the outcome of the poll and victimising them as a result.



The NRP won only one of the three federal parliament seats in Nevis in the January 25 general election.



The Premier who also heads the Nevis Island Administration, has distanced himself from direct involvement in the matter, indicating that the federal government in Basseterre has responsibility for Immigration.