Four more immigration-related arrests were made in two separate cases on Monday, 20 September.
They underscore the Immigration Department’s continued vigilance, both in detecting illegal residents and ensuring that local employees and businesses adhere to relevant laws.
One of those arrested is a permanent resident with the right to work.
Deputy Chief Immigration Officer for Enforcement Gary Wong said, “The charge facing this professional-level worker is working without being authorised by an Employment Rights Certificate. The offence occurred after the permanent resident failed to pay the required fees which would allow him to work in the Cayman Islands. The outstanding amount is some $25,000.”
In a separate operation, checks were carried out in the Eastern Avenue area of George Town Monday night by a team made up of 20 Immigration Enforcement Officers and Royal Cayman Islands Police Service officers.
As a result, two Jamaican nationals were arrested on suspicion of having landed illegally. A Caymanian was also arrested for obstruction of the officers in the execution of their duties. These three persons remain in custody pending further investigations.
Applauding these efforts and thanking the RCIPS and other uniformed agencies for their continued support, Chief Immigration Officer Linda Evans confirmed that offenders will continue to be targeted.
“This continued enforcement drive is in the national interest. It targets all levels of law infringement and is about protecting border security as well as detecting abuses in the labour market,” she said.
Ms. Evans also thanked the public for cooperating and reminded permanent residents to ensure that any required payments are up-to-date or they would face being arrested and fined.
The department is able to impose administrative fines, which do not require the subjects to appear in court or necessarily face imprisonment.
During the recent immigration amnesty, 87 persons representing diverse nationalities took advantage of the opportunity to depart Cayman without repercussion. An enforcement crackdown was subsequently implemented.
Cases detected since then include overstaying, altering documents, working without a permit, obstructing law enforcers and making false statements.
Persons who are overstaying or committing other immigration offences should voluntarily contact the Immigration Enforcement Section, or they will be arrested when attempting to depart.
