Over 70 illegal immigrants arrested in Antigua

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

~~Adz:Right~~ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – MEMBERS of the Antigua/Barbuda Police Force, Antigua/Barbuda Defence Force and the Immigration Department, in a joint operation last week, arrested over 70 non-nationals for violating the Federation’s Immigration laws.

The joint operation was conducted in specific locations throughout St. John’s, particularly in Gray’s Farm and Gray’s Hill, and ran for about two weeks.

Inspector Cornelius Charles, Head of the Police Strategic Communications Department (Stratcom), stated that although a few individuals were released, it is likely that the Immigration Department would charge the others who have taken up residence without legal status.

Charles reported that those released were legally granted entry into the country; however, others may have been illegally living on the island. 

He further explained that some of the immigrants who had legally entered the country but were given specific dates of departure, remained for a number of years in the Federation without “maintaining a regularised citizenship status”.

Similarly, he added, a number of them was only in transit but they somehow managed to get past the Immigration Officers at the airport and had taken up residence in the Federation.

It has also been circulated that many of these immigrants may have entered the country via sea ports and have lived comfortable lives, being employed under the radar.

It is reported that many of these immigrants hail from Jamaica.

It has also been touted that the charged group of 70 would be taken before the court and may be deported.