Four Dominican Republic citizens refused entry
As the Government of Guyana begins to crack down on illegal immigration, yet another group of intended visitors has been refused entry. Five nationals of the Dominican Republic arrived in Guyana a few days ago via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Timehri, and four of them were sent back to their homeland after they failed to meet the requirements for entry into the country. Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Dale Alves, told Kaieteur News that the immigrants had arrived in Guyana and were not in possession of visas. He added that the individuals had no relatives and/or friends to receive them, and were unable to state where they were going. Alves also stressed that they had insufficient funds. He said as a result of all of the above, they were refused entry and subsequently sent back to their country of origin. On the contrary, David Jacobis, who claimed to be a friend of the individuals, has since lambasted two immigration officers, whose names he provided, for being unethical while executing their duties. Jacobis recalled that he was waiting for about 45 minutes at the CJIA to “pick up” his friends. However his long wait was certainly in vain when he was informed that only one of them could have gained entry into the country. He related that he became aware of this from the said individual that was allowed entry. As a result of this, Jacobis, said that he, “immediately approached the security officer and I give her my name. She then told me to go in arrival (area). I saw the four girls on the waiting bench, so I then asked (Immigration Officer) what is the problem? Why the girls aint come through as yet? She then said they did not fulfill her requirements. “So I then asked her what is her requirement? She then said ‘I don’t have to discuss that with you.’” Jacobis said that at that point he again enquired from the officer what the requirements were, but she declined to answer him. He said that he explained to the officer that the individuals had already made reservations at a city hotel for accommodation. According to the man, his friends who were denied entry had sufficient documentation in their possession. He emphasized that the officer insisted in deporting his friends. “I was waiting in her face for her to help me out. She said they are already waiting to be deported and she can’t do anything about it, no matter who talk.” Further, the frustrated man claimed that the officer threatened to place him in custody, “she went over to the departure section, so I ask her wha really going on. And she (the officer) said ‘leh I tell you something, de next time you come in my face yuh gone see wha I gon do. I gone throw you in de (police) outpost.” Jacobis alleged that another officer (name provided) asked him if the girls are going to Bartica to “pick fare.” Within the last few months there have been several cases where foreign nationals illegally entered Guyana. Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Simona Broomes, found 29 foreign nationals living under suspicious circumstances from various locations, when she raided Bartica. 11 later faced charges of illegal entry and overstaying their time. Broomes remarked that there has been a trend of women being recruited from the Dominican Republic, but it had gone unnoticed by officials in the past.
