On 27th May 2021, Immigration Enforcement Unit officers conducted an operation on a construction site in the Turtle Tail area where they arrested Dominican nationals Juan Quezada De La Rosa and Louis Diaz Jimenez after they failed to show proof of status in the Islands. An investigation conducted by the Immigration Department identified Seferina Cooper as Mr. Rosa’s employer. Ms. Cooper was charged with Employing a Prohibited Person while Mr. Rosa and Mr. Jiminez were charged for Remaining in the Islands Beyond the Permitted Time and Unlawfully Engaging in Gainful Occupation.
On Tuesday, 8th June 2021, the accused appeared in the Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charges, where Ms. Cooper plead guilty and was fined $4500. Mr. Jiminez plead guilty to both charges and was fined $1800, while Mr. Rosa plead guilty to both charges and was sentenced to 100 days imprisonment.
The Immigration Department would like to remind the public that under the Immigration Ordinance, it is an offence to work in the islands without proper authorization, and it is an offence to employ persons who don’t have proper authorization to work in the islands. Both offences are punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or two (2) years imprisonment.