Nassau, Bahamas - The following is a statement by the Bahamas Immigration Department:
On 17th July, the Department successfully
prosecuted four (4) Jamaican Nationals, two males and two females.
The particulars are that the two males, Richard Brown
and Steven Whyte, were arrested on 13th July 2015 after the
expiration of their visitors stay of fourteen and fifteen days, granted on 19th
February and 6th April, 2015 respectively. Mr. Brown was found at
Universal Barbershop working as a Barber while Mr. Whyte was found at T & T
Automotive working as a Car Wash attendant. Neither of them was in possession of
a valid work permit authorizing them to engage in gainful employment. As a
result, they were charged with overstaying and engaging in gainful employment
contrary to sections 28 (1) & (3) and 29 (1) d and (2) of the Immigration
Act. They were convicted on both charges and were fined $1,500.00 or 3 months imprisonment
on each charge. The sentences are to run consecutively. Additionally, early
deportation was recommended.
The two Jamaican females, Alison Marie Johnson and
Lucille Veronica Simpson, were arrested on 8th and 14th
July 2015 after the expiration of their visitor’s stay of six days granted on
25th April 2014 and14 days granted 7th September 2014 respectively.
As a result, they were both charged with overstaying and were both fined $1,500
or in default of payment serve a 3 months prison term. Deportation was
recommended upon payment of the fine or completion of custodial sentence.
Fines were not paid as yet and all persons are
remanded at the Department of Corrections.
The Department wishes
to remind companies and employers that only Bahamian citizens and holders of
Resident Spousal permits and certificates of permanent residence with the right
to work are permitted to engage in gainful employment. All others must apply
for a work permit granting the authorization to work. Employers are further
reminded that employing persons illegally is in direct contravention of the
Immigration Act and persons doing so will be prosecuted to the fullest extent
of the law.