The island spent $139,457 on deportations in the 2023-24 period, with the funds deducted from the Department of Immigration’s compliance unit, the Upper House heard this week.

Leslie Robinson, the Junior Minister of Economy and Labour and Public Works, offered the details during the Budget debate, in response to questions from opposition senators Robin Tucker and Douglas De Couto.

Ms Tucker said that in 2023-24 there were two investigations by immigration officers for civil penalties, with one involving “several work permit holders”.

Both investigations continue, with no penalties imposed so far.

Mr Tucker also queried the three to six-month time frame for immigration officers to investigate an illegal worker on the island.

Senators heard that interviews accounted for much of the work, with cases starting out as general investigations than can translate into investigations for civil penalties — which “take longer because of the need to issue notices that follow the natural justice process”, Ms Robinson said.

Dr De Couto asked for details on the number of Permanent Resident’s Certificates issued in 2023-24, and how many were expected to be granted in the upcoming year.

Ms Robinson said 282 PRCs had been issued to date this fiscal year.

She added: “Applications for 2024-25 are projected to be approximately 200.

“This will increase in accordance with policy changes relating to years of residence in Bermuda, which will attract new applicants.”

Jason Hayward, the economy and labour minister, revealed this month that a government position paper would increase the pool of qualifying applicants.

Under the proposal, ordinary residents of Bermuda who have been on the island for more than ten years and have an annual income of $83,000 would be eligible, halving the minimum time period.

Ms Robinson also detailed the consultants working at present in the immigration department.

Four consultants work in compliance, with personal services and corporate services getting an additional five consultants each.

The contracts were said to run from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024.