Exploring the Importance of Border Countries Haiti and the Bahamas in the Transnational Movement of Drugs and Displaced Migrants into the United States

Abstract

Abstract The Caribbean has long served as a pivotal crossroads in transnational flows of both legal and illicit goods, people, and ideas. Haiti and The Bahamas, in particular, occupy critical positions as border nations that influence the dynamics of migration and drug trafficking into the United States. This thesis explores the dual role of these nations in facilitating, resisting, and being shaped by the movement of displaced migrants and narcotics. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, including a review of secondary data, government reports, and migration statistics, this study analyzes how geographical position, governance challenges, international intervention, and bilateral agreements with the United States have shaped patterns of migration and smuggling through these states. The findings suggest that Haiti’s chronic political instability and humanitarian crises have made it a major source of displaced migrants, while The Bahamas has functioned as both a host and transit point, often struggling with the burden of accommodating irregular migrants. Simultaneously, both nations have been identified by United States (U.S.) and international reports as critical nodes in the regional narcotics trade. These dynamics reveal that U.S. border security cannot be understood in isolation but must account for the broader transnational landscape of the Caribbean. This thesis contributes to scholarship on transnational security, migration studies, and Caribbean politics by offering a comparative case study of Haiti and The Bahamas. It concludes by recommending integrated U.S. Caribbean policy frameworks that emphasize humanitarian protection alongside narcotics interdiction, highlighting the importance of shared responsibility in addressing the complexities of migration and drug flows.