Immigration clocks 381 arrests so far in 2017
(CNS): Since the beginning of this year, immigration officers have made 381 arrests in relation to various infractions and offences and have collected over CI$152,000 in administrative fines. Following the passing of the half-way point of 2017, statistics released by the department show that 112 arrests were made in connection with employment outside the terms of a work permit and another 108 for overstaying, with the two offences accounting for the bulk of the wrongdoing. Acting Deputy Chief Officer Michael Ebanks said the department applauds those employers and employees who comply with the Immigration Law.
“We continue to encourage the public to always report breaches of the law, so we can immediately act on the provided information,” he said.
The department remains in turmoil, however, as the case of the chief immigration officer, Linda Evans, who was suspended from the top post in 2014, is still not resolved and Bruce Smith, the current acting boss, has still not been confirmed in post.
Meanwhile, Jeanine Lewis, one of the deputy chiefs at the department, will be on required leave for several more months following news this week that the crown is pursuing a criminal case against her that will go to trial in November. Several other unnamed officers and staff from the department also remain on required leave following their arrests in an anti-corruption case understood to relate to various bribes in relation to the immigration’s permanent residency tests and other services.
Nevertheless, Smith said joint operations with his officers and the police as well as enforcement staff from the Department of Labour and Pensions (DLP) continue and have resulted in many of the arrests made by the department so far this year.
“Joint operations allow us to strengthen strategic, coordinated and collaborative partnerships in support of our law enforcement efforts,” Smith added.
Garfield Wong, another deputy chief who has remained in post despite a longstanding DUI charge against him, stated, “The work of an immigration enforcement officer is highly demanding. My team works very hard to achieve the results they do and I thank them for their dedication. I would also like to thank the Ministry of Human Resources and Immigration for their support of our operations.”
Meanwhile, officials said that 13 deportation orders of people serving time in jail have also been executed this year. Three of them were executed last week when three men were deported after serving their time in HMP Northward for various offences. They were sent back to their respective countries of Bulgaria, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
Anyone with information about immigration related offences is urged to contact the confidential information hotline at 1-800-LegalIm (1-800-534-2546), or email legalim@gov.ky.
Category: Crime, Immigration
Well good evening to all,
If that doesn’t surprise you, think of companies who are racist towards hard working Caymanian’s of colour, who would prefer to get work permits for other people of other racist without experience for the job and pay them more than the experienced person on the job.
Immigration Department need to stop thinking of money and think of the effect this has on our community and Heritage. However there is a lot of inside unfairness within our boards and connections within the work permit system. This system needs to be an online process through the National Work Place Development Unit to ascertain if they are any Caymanian’s suitable for the job first. If they are no suitable Caymanian’s for the Job then the permit application is stamped for approval to process to the Immigration Department for completeness and transparency.
The work permit is a scheme in order to make money and not to hear the concern of the natives of Cayman. The companies who have established themselves here in Cayman have grown distaste in their mouths for Caymanian people. My theory is that the companies in Cayman figure out that cheaper labour in the foreign labour force and they have more power over them with the immigration system. With Caymanian people they have no immigration power over them but would have to contend with labour department.
The work permits are misrepresented on the initial work permit form and in the company they have a different titles and descriptions while they are in the company. If that isn’t enough for insult to injury the Caymanian person is force to train this person how to do the job and get paid 1,000’s of dollars more per month.
Cayman people needs to wake up and they are a lot of racism here in Cayman which is hidden within our open door country. We Caymanian’s welcome people into our country as a “Cayman Kind” initiative and when they have achieve what they want, they return to who they are and burn the bridge that they have just cross and no longer needs Caymanian’s who they used to achieve their goals.
It is so upsetting to know that the indigenous people of this Country have no say on policy; however the latest online poles on how immigration should do its work is a wait and sees approach.
They are too many loop holes in the system of work permits. Example: (People can fill out an application form and apply for a customer service agent within a company and existing staff are told that the new employee is the manager) where in the world is this fair process to the experience people on the job. The new job wasn’t even advertised, if it was advertise it is placed in the news paper very few people reads.
If they would be checking up on all these “looking a days work” ads on ecaytrade, I am sure they could catch another 300 illegally remaining on Island…….
Too easy.
Who gives a f…k? After the PR fiasco ….. Does anyone care what the immigration dept do or think?
Don’t forget folks. All companies are owned by Caymanians. These are the people that are hiring people and giving them a lesser title to save a few bucks.
This off course excludes the financial service providers, large construction companies, hotel chains which are not Caymanian owned and accounts for the lion share of work permits.
What about all those Civil Servants who have second jobs or businesses and conduct them in CIG time and vehicles. Why are they allowed to do this and employ work permit holders at the same time?
Too many people abusing the system.
And most of those arrested were Immigration Officers. You couldn’t make it up.
Keep up the good work. Many more out there. Those holding permits for persons that are not working for them should be prosecuted and issue a warning before not renewing their business license if caught again. Too many workers hopping from job to jobs while on island . Also i have been made aware of persons coming here as visitors and landing a job and not having to leave the islands before they start work. Has that law been changed.Also job hopping and issued new permits when they find a better paying job.
Why should they leave? Or do you just like creating misery? If they don’t get the permit, then they have to leave…
So about 300 foreign criminals detected so far – but we do not acknowledge them as being criminal?
Can we imagine what the Police could do , when they have more violations that they can arrest for than Immigration do .
Hasn’t noticed as still many working on island outside of there work permit….how about going after employers for holding permits for non active employees and allowing employers to work outside of permit
Good, step it up, still plenty loafing around here. When they arrive here as a visitor and are carrying documents, especially that brown envelope they are looking work, not on holiday. Turn them around at the terminal like they do in other jurisdictions.
Oh my another government department that doesn’t enforce it’s laws. I heard this rubbish all through the election campaign.
Thank you immigration.
What? Arresting people! How dare them do there job! I thought they were there just for show.
Wow!! Imagine having to applaud people when they obey the laws. What are we coming to?