17 November 2008

Statement by Sen. the Hon. Lt. Col. David A. Burch, OBE (Mil), ED, JP

Thank you for joining me this afternoon.

In September I announced an amnesty for those visitors who had overstayed their permission and in many instances were working illegally. Today I want to provide an update on the amnesty period which expired on 31st October. During which we have noticed an increased number of persons voluntarily leaving Bermuda, most notably on British Airways travelling through the United Kingdom.

The Department of Immigration is currently compiling the departure information with intelligence received as well as with landing cards to accurately ascertain the numbers of those who have left. Unfortunately this is a manual process that may take some time but the new electronic Border Management System at the airport is greatly assisting in this regard. Initial indications are that both Jamaican and Portuguese nationals have taken advantage of the amnesty – including the first person featured on the Wanted Poster.

Additionally, as I stand here updating you on the efforts in relation to illegal workers, I can report that at this moment, at the Miami International Airport, two Immigration Officers are boarding a plane for Kingston, Jamaica accompanying a Jamaican national who had been here illegally for the past ten years. As a result of information received via the Immigration Hotline he was arrested on Friday evening, held in custody over the weekend and escorted to Jamaica this morning.

Through the cooperation of the US Department of Homeland Security permission was granted to transit the US to Jamaica. The Honorary Jamaican Consul, Mr. Winston Laylor was most helpful in providing emergency travel documents. I wish to publicly thank both for their cooperation. Efforts to prosecute those Bermudians who provided shelter and assistance to this individual will be aggressively pursued.

Our records also indicate that we have an individual who has resided in Bermuda illegally for twenty years. Bermudians probably have seen him for the past twenty years and believe he is here legally. Well he is not and I invite him to leave before we find him.

During that press conference in September, I also mentioned that we would consider offering rewards. I am pleased to say that the response from Bermudians has been overwhelming – in that I have repeatedly heard - ‘Oh no Minister we don’t need a reward, this is our country and we are duty bound to protect it. It doesn’t take a reward for us to fulfill our duty.’ I cannot tell you how gratifying this is as Bermudians acknowledge the fact that they must play their part in protecting Bermuda for their children.

I want to remind both Bermudians and illegal immigrants that there is zero tolerance for this type of behaviour and persons found engaging in such will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I should add that most visitors who overstay and engage in working illegally are usually deported and placed on the Bermuda Stop List and not allowed to enter Bermuda again. I cannot stress too strongly that these are serious offences which we shall not ignore.

We intend to use whatever means to enforce the law and I encourage anyone who has information on illegal immigrants, those working without permission or outside of their job category to call the Immigration Hot line on 296-5202.

This is not a witch hunt – apart from the fact that over staying is against the law – I am reminded daily about the need to protect Bermudian jobs. We in this Ministry have and accept this responsibility and will remain vigilant in our efforts to protect our Island home.

Thank you.