Court orders removal of 16 Haitians for immigration breaches

A parish court judge has ordered 16 Haitians to leave Jamaica after they were found to have overstayed the three-day period granted to them upon arrival. The order was issued today after the group was taken before the court on charges related to immigration breaches.

The ruling followed a police operation on Monday during which officers removed 29 Haitians from a premises on Andrea Crescent in Edgewater, Portmore. The location, which operates as an Airbnb, was found housing 21 males and eight females, including a juvenile.

Investigations revealed that the group arrived legally at Norman Manley International Airport in batches between November 26 and 30 and were admitted for transit to Panama. They were transported from the airport to the Portmore residence, where they were registered and assigned rooms.

However, authorities say the majority overstayed, prompting their detention and processing at a police station in Portmore. A team from the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency was brought in to assist with verification and travel arrangements.

Thirteen of the Haitians, who still had valid authorisation to leave, were released and departed the island on December 2 and 3. The remaining 16 faced the St Catherine Parish Court and were ordered to be removed from Jamaica on Wednesday. They were escorted to the airport and placed on outbound flights.

Police disclosed that the property had been monitored previously, but increased occupancy by Haitian nationals triggered deeper concern among residents and law enforcement officials. The operator of the premises has been warned and is expected to undergo further questioning as investigations continue into whether the location is involved in organized migration activities.

Authorities say the probe remains ongoing.

- Ruddy Mathison

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