Bahamas Information Services Updates
Bahamas Immigration prosecutes 4 Jamaican nationals
Jul 21, 2015 - 1:50:26 PM

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.

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