by Linda Straker
- 24 persons have been charged for entering Grenada illegally
- Several Columbians, Panamanians and Venezuelans charged for violation of Immigration Act
- Legislation presently before Upper House of Parliament to increase EC$3,000 fine to EC$12,000
Assistant Superintendent of Police Leroy Joseph who is Head of the Immigration Department said that for the first 5 months of 2021, Grenada is recording a steady increase in the number of illegal immigrants from the South American nations of Venezuela, Panama and Columbia.
“Last year, for the entire year, that is for the entire year of 2020, immigration charged 15 persons for entering the country illegally. Surprising to know that from January 01st to May 31st 2021, 24 persons have been charged for entering the country illegally and that is not half of the year,” said ASP Joseph.
“We have never seen that trend before,” he said, disclosing that several Columbians, Panamanians and Venezuelans were recently charged for entering the country in violation of the Immigration Act. Those charged appeared before a magistrate and were fined. They were also ordered to be deported.
Immigration authorities are not certain as to the reason behind the steady increase of illegal entry. “You never know what a person could do when they enter a country illegally, what is their intention…once you come in undetected, we will have it that you come in with some ulterior motive,” said Joseph.
Health authorities are overly concerned that individuals who are entering the country illegally could be putting the country at risk for a Covid-19 outbreak. Usually, these individuals do not know their Covid-19 status and one positive case can result in a cluster followed by community spread of the virus.
Dr Shawn Charles Acting Chief Medical Officer said that as Grenada continues to be a safe place, more persons will want to visit and possibly remain on the island. “Some will do so via the legal route and others will do it via the clandestine route, and this is a channel that we are also dealing with.”
All individuals caught entering the country illegally are charged for violating the Immigration Act which at present carries a maximum fine of EC$3,000. However, legislation is presently before the Upper House of Parliament to increase that fine to EC$12,000.
Allowing South Americans unto our Island and illegally, is too risky to even consider. Apart from the health risks, some of these countries are noted globally for criminal activities! For those applying to enter Grenada legally they should be given a chance to explain their motives! However for those who would take the illegal route their motives must rightly be questioned! Grenada must not be allowed to be seen as a “walk over”! Those who chooses to enter illegally must indeed be fined heavily and deported to deter future risk takers! Without proper control, a trickle can soon turn into a flood!
The stupidity of you people is overwhelming. Make yourselves aware of what is happening in the rest of the world! Conditions in South America are beyond belief. If you were there you would try to get out as well. Do NOT increase the fines! These people have no money to begin with. It will cost Grenada more to lock them up in Richmond Hill. The latest person to avoid immigration authority is a GRENADIAN. STOP trying to fine the world to make money. No one has money now. Start testing locals for covid, you cannot believe there is not one case on Grenada. Have you tested every oerdon with this respiratory illness for COVID??? You claim it is influenza but you have not identified the strain so I call you out to do so. Stop trying to scare the country with continuous threats.
Regarding the flu going around – – that’s much too mild and short to be Covid-19. However, if it turns out that it was a mild variant, that would be AMAZING news! That’s where the pandemic ultimately will go – – the virus will evolve to a more milder, endemic, seasonal-type flu…..
The government is fully aware of this situation and I find it rather embarrassing to be reading this article based on the fact that they addressed this matter in parliament so it is their responsibility to deal with it.
We don’t have an army so use what we have to prevent any further entry.