WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Scott is committed to doing everything he can on the federal level to help families in the Bahamas recover and rebuild, and has released four proposals to help families on the islands.

Last night, Senator Scott spoke to UN Secretary General António Guterres to get an update about the UN’s relief efforts in the Bahamas following his letter urging their support. Yesterday, he commended the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for releasing clarification regarding visa requirements for Bahamian citizens traveling to the United States.

Last week, Senator Scott also joined Senator Rubio in urging President Donald Trump to waive or suspend certain visa requirements for Bahamian citizens with relatives residing in the United States.

See below for more details on efforts to help families and businesses in the Bahamas impacted by Hurricane Dorian:

The U.S. Embassy in Nassau is open for emergency visa appointments and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Ports of Entry are prepared, should Bahamians request to temporarily relocate to the United States.

RED CROSS

• Before Dorian struck the Bahamas, the Bahamas Red Cross prepositioned supplies for 1,000 people on the islands and has mobilized 200 volunteers.
• On Thursday, the IFRC sent 38 tons of materiel including warehouse tents, 1,600 jerrycans, 1,600 tarpaulins, 800 hygiene kits, 800 shelter toolkits, 1,600 plastic buckets, 3,200 blankets and 700 kitchen sets.
• According to national and regional estimates, approximately 76,000 people – the vast majority of residents on the two islands – have been affected by Hurricane Dorian.
• The IFRC estimates that more than 62,000 people are in immediate need of clean water across the affected areas.
• More than 13,000 houses are believed to have been damaged or destroyed. That’s equivalent to about 45 percent of all dwellings on the two islands.
• The International Federation of the Red Cross has announced an emergency appeal for $3.2 million to support the Bahamas Red Cross as it responds to the storm.
• The American Red Cross has committed an initial $2 million to support the Bahamas relief effort and deployed a disaster response specialist to provide media support.
• The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army continue to work with local Florida governments to address any needs of evacuees who seek temporary relocation in the United States.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

• Released clarification regarding visa requirements for Bahamian citizens traveling to the United States.
  • CBP continues to work with commercial operators to ensure that all persons transported to the U.S. arrive safely.
  • According to DHS, all travelers applying for admission to the United States via air or sea must meet the following document requirements for admission to ensure a lawful and orderly arrival to the United States:
    • Bahamians must be in possession of a valid, unexpired passport or a Bahamian Travel Document listing nationality as Bahamian. All other travelers arriving from the Bahamas (U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, and individuals of other nationalities) must possess a valid, unexpired government–issued passport.
    • Bahamians arriving to the United States by vessel must be in possession of a valid passport AND valid travel visa.
    • Detailed information on all visa application requirements and processes, as well as a step-by-step guide to visa applications for Bahamians, can be found at https://bs.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas.
    • Bahamian citizens may apply for admission to the United States without a visa at one of the CBP Preclearance facilities located in Nassau or Freeport International Airports, IF they meet the following requirements:
      • Be traveling on a flight that CBP completes immigration and customs inspections in Nassau or Freeport. (*Note - Bahamians traveling on to another country and expecting to transit the United States on their return will need a visa);
      • Be in possession of a valid, unexpired passport or a Bahamian Travel Document listing nationality as Bahamian;
      • Have no criminal record nor any legal ineligibility or inadmissibility as defined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (click here);
      • Be traveling for business or pleasure (tourism, visiting relatives, shopping, etc.) purposes for a short duration;
      • All persons 14 years of age and older must be in possession of a police certificate issued within the past six months;
      • Bahamians traveling through the United States to a third country must possess a valid visa for return travel through the U.S.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

• USAID Administrator Mark Green traveled to the Bahamas on September 8 to oversee the United States' humanitarian operations in the Bahamas.
• A USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) is in the Bahamas to assess damage, identify humanitarian needs, and bring urgently needed assistance to those affected by this hurricane.
• To date, USAID has provided $2.8 million in assistance to help affected communities and is providing more than 47 metric tons of critical relief supplies from their warehouse in Miami.
• USAID support has provided food assistance for 39,000 people, 700 rolls of heavy-duty plastic sheeting to meet urgent shelter needs, 2,400 buckets and water containers for safe drinking water, 600 hygiene kits to prevent disease, and multiple chainsaw kits to help remove debris.
• USAID’s Center for International Disaster Information activated a call center—reachable at +1.202.661.7710—on September 9 to coordinate private sector engagement and donation inquiries for the Hurricane Dorian humanitarian response in The Bahamas.
• U.S. military ships and more than 20 helicopters are supporting USAID by transporting more than 72 metric tons of supplies and 183 response personnel.

U.S. COAST GUARD

• Coast Guard Hurricane Dorian response operations continue in support of the Bahamas.
• As of Monday at 9 a.m.:
  • Coast Guard crews have rescued 383 people in the Bahamas since the Hurricane Dorian response began.
  • Five MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters are operating out of Andros Island, Bahamas
  • Five Coast Guard cutters are conducting search and rescue missions, area assessments and providing logistical support.
  • The Coast Guard is supporting the Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, who are leading search and rescue efforts. If you are in a life-threatening situation and need assistance, call 911 or 919 in the Bahamas, or call the Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency at 242-323-1395.
  • For private donations to the hurricane response effort, you can contact The Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance. Visit www.cidi.org/hurricane-dorian/#.XW_C6k01tnI. You can also contact OFDA by emailing, nemadonations@bahamas.gov.bs or call 242-323-5394, or bahamasredcross.org/donate.

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