Barbados will introduce sweeping new powers for immigration authorities to screen travellers before they arrive, under legislation that ministers said will transform the island’s border security and guard against terrorist and organised criminal threats.

The new legislation also contains provisions to protect personal data, allow for cross-border communication between CARICOM authorities, and prevent racial and ethnic profiling.

The Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record Bill was moved for its second reading in the House of Assembly by Minister of Home Affairs Gregory Nicholls on Tuesday evening.