Venezuelans deported for overstaying

A Venezuelan woman who overstayed on island was ordered to leave the country.

Andrina Marie appeared before Magistrate Candia George at the Roseau Magistrate Court late last week and pleaded guilty to overstaying.

According to the facts of the case from police prosecution, the defendant entered the country via the Melville Hall Airport on 8 June, 2011 and was granted one week stay.  However, Marie failed to leave the country and did not present herself to an immigration officer before the end of the time that she was permitted to stay on the island.

The accused was detained by police personnel during a routine patrol in Portsmouth on July 20 and was subsequently referred to the immigration department where investigation in the matter continued.

Police communicated with the defendant via a Spanish translator.

“The reason I am still here is because my ticket expired. I have to buy a return ticket,” the defendant indicated to police after presenting her passport to them.

“I did not know that I  was granted one week, I went by LIAT this week to check my ticket and they informed me that my name was not there,” Marie said to police. “I just want to buy a ticket and go home.”

During the proceeding police prosecution applied for the removal of the defendant from the state.

Lawyer Julian Prevost made a plea in mitigation on the defendant’s behalf. Prevost, while opening the passport of the defendant, showed Magistrate George that the handwriting of immigration officer who wrote the date and time permitted in the passport was not readable. Prevost pointed out that because the defendant could not understand the handwriting of the immigration officer, she did not know when exactly she was supposed to leave Dominica.

In handing down the sentence, Magistrate George considered that the defendant pleaded guilty and cooperated with the police. She also considered that the handwriting of the immigration officer was unreadable.

Marie was ordered to be removed from the country with proper police escort. No fines were imposed.

The defendant husband suffered a similar fate

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44 Comments

  1. JEFF
    July 27, 2011

    SHE SHOULD SPIT IN THE COURT

    • Truth,Justice,Peace
      July 27, 2011

      @ JEFF

      What type of person are you? So uncaring and disrespectful! Are you a Dominican? You have depicted that you are not a patriotic Dominican. :twisted: :twisted:
      Those who spit in Court should be arrested and yes, IMPRISONED FOR DISHONORING OUR COURT, JUDGE, MAGISTRATE AND PROSECUTION.
      You are crude and rude and need to learn respect for others, for Dominica, Dominicans and the Courts of all. You must have a beef against the Court. Are you are criminal, a non-law abiding national?
      Visitors to Dominica, the tourists of all cannot be wrong and strong.
      Finally, your comment should not have been allowed on this Website. How it was allowed to be passed so as to be posted on this Website is beyond my comprehension.

    • creative
      July 27, 2011

      So you are saying she should be wrong and strong?
      Dominicans migrate to other countries, and some do not come back, but when they come before the courts in those countries, they have no choice but to abide by the laws of the countries they live in. So why should people come to Dominica and think they can do what they want, how they want and get away with it? We have to uphold the law of our land, or else it will be a free for all and we will loose all control.

    • MALPARDEE
      July 29, 2011

      HAHAHAHHAHA

  2. oh boy
    July 27, 2011

    Is it just me or do many people seem to be against multiculturalism. Isn’t it possible that in this day and age we can go passed skin color- race, religion and ideology – and focus on who actually wants to be in this country (as many ‘Dominicans’ migrate and never come back) and is interested in developing it? Of course you do things legally but I see no reason to be afraid of seeing different faces or hearing different languages.

    • Rocks
      July 27, 2011

      What does that have to do with this story? Just curious? She overstayed in the country. That process is the same in most countries. I think it was the correct thing to deport her.

    • Truth,Justice,Peace
      July 27, 2011

      @ Oh boy

      What are you stating and what do you mean? Skin color and race has nothing to do with it and should not be brought into it. Dominicans are of mixed race anyway. Look around you. Keep in mind the history of Dominica.
      Those who wish to reside in Dominica must do so legally. Dominica is not open to whosoever will may come and remain illegally. Criminals and murderers, non-law-abiding people are not welcomed.
      Non-nationals who wish to remain in Dominica must do so legally. They must go through the immigration process. This applies to any country which is the law of the land. Period!!! Case closed!

    • creative
      July 27, 2011

      Well was it done legally in this case?

  3. Alas Alas
    July 26, 2011

    Dominicans should be happy that people want to stay in their poor country.

    • Truth,Justice,Peace
      July 27, 2011

      Dominica may be a poor country. However, I would not brand it as a poor country nor will I agree with anyone who states that it is poor.
      Dominicans are not starving. They reside in houses, whatever the size.
      Many Dominicans are better off than some others, referring also to other nationals who reside in progressive countries.
      It sounds like you are not proud of your country. You may be one who possesses no pride and love whatsoever and for Dominica to make such a statement.
      Non-nationals who would do anything to reside in Dominica do not view it as a poor country. On the contrary, they view it as a place where they could reside comfortably and one to open their businesses, make money and get rich.
      Why else would a Mexican of all leave a big country as Mexico and overstay her visit, etc.? This includes the Venezuelan couple who were deported. These are only two examples.
      If those people considered Dominica poor they would never want to remain there. Have you ever thought of that? Put on your thinking cap.

    • Mama Joy
      July 27, 2011

      If dominica so poor why they comming and dont want to leave? Geuss where they came from worst then us wich makes us not so poor after ali.

  4. July 26, 2011

    The population is extremely low in Dominica,I does be ashamed when people asked me what the population in Dominica sometimes I tell them a higher figure,which I know is 7o.ooo, I learned the population drop.My point is the government should place amnesty for those foreigners who wish too stay if their criminal backgrounds are good.And allowed them to pay taxes and fees ,trust me that will generate the economy in Dominica,Thats how the U S A generate its economy and other develop countries.

    • Jalousie
      July 26, 2011

      Just reading what you wrote taking consideration of your spelling and grammar helps me to understand why you could talk so much crap.

    • Truth,Justice,Peace
      July 27, 2011

      @ Dahman

      “I does be ashamed?” What language is this?
      Why should you be ashamed when you are asked about the population of Dominica? Know how to comment.
      I am ever so proud to inform those who ask me about the population of Dominica. If they adversely comment I simply inform them that “you cannot put 70,000 people in one room.”
      The problem with some of you is that you are not proud of your country. We need to sell our country’s attribute and sing its praises.
      You stated that the government should give amnesty for those foreigners “if their criminal backgrounds are good?” A criminal is a criminal. If they do not have a criminal record.
      I would not suggest that amnesty be given to non-nationals who are not landed. Dominica is too small an island for that.
      What could be done is that after residing in Dominica the required amount of years it takes to become a citizen and they have proved to be good residents without a criminal record and are legally employed they could apply for citizenship. They should also be investigated prior to being granted landed status and citizenship.
      Sometime ago I read that the U.S. government deported some Haitians back to their country because they are involved in criminal activities. They may also have been criminals/murderers in Haiti.
      This is the problem when non-nationals come in boatloads and planeloads after a disaster strikes, as the earthquake in Haiti.
      I also read some time ago that the Dominican government stated Haitians will not be sent back. The government should ensure that they are not a burden on taxpayers. They must obtain legal work. Otherwise, I would send them back to their country. There are areas in Haiti that was not affected by the earthquake. Furthermore, Haiti is a much bigger country than Dominica.
      Able-bodied people (able to work) who reside in a country should not live idly. They should not be involved in criminal activities.
      They should be able to contribute to the good of the country and for their livelihood. It takes money to feed and house them. How can a country as Dominica ever progress if it financially supports thousands of people who are not employed?

  5. Easy Fada
    July 26, 2011

    Some of allu dat commenting, i bet all u have family in foreign that did the same thing, go and visit, and end up overstaying,,,,,,, so if all u fighting down the lady, when allu same family that did jus the same thing send money for all u, tell them “no i doe want it bcuz u go in dem people place and u overstay ur visit”…….. dirty set of people

    • Truth,Justice,Peace
      July 27, 2011

      These days all types of people have computers and they cannot read, write and spell.
      It would be educating and beneficial for you if you could read and spell English prior to commenting on this Website.
      You are a Dominican and commenting and criticizing the sense which some others made. Learn English!
      Why can you not stick to the topic in this article? You are off course! Write something sensible that could be an example to others and applied, if feasible that they can learn from especially the youths. We are to lead by good examples in words and deeds.

  6. ANTIGUAN
    July 26, 2011

    Immigration is slack in a lot of our countries..I sometimes wonder how they get their jobs

  7. Al
    July 26, 2011

    I FIND SOME OF THE COMENTS VERY INTRESTING. Let us really face the facts,everyone seeks a better life in someones eles country,for example how many of us us Dominicians are overstaying in other people country?. We live our island for a better life and other people come to our island for a better life.
    I hate when we Dominicians think that we are so without SIN and that we have to throw the first stone.
    P.S I over stayed in someone elses country 30 YEARS AGO AND IS A CITIZEN.

    • paker
      July 26, 2011

      Brother u are so right’

    • magwasah
      July 27, 2011

      @ AL i would shake your big toe!!!!!!!!!!!

  8. Wongping
    July 26, 2011

    People overstay everywhere.only those who have never travel in search of a better life talk so;although some are negative.my only problem with haitians is the vodoo.prostitut-wise :every country have that.i have overstayed 2 years on a 1 year visa,even though today I have a european passport.stop throwing stones at every one.

  9. Truth,Justice,Peace
    July 26, 2011

    Well, here is another case. She only speaks Spanish. How did she communicate with the LIAT employee to know that her ticket expired? I suppose that her husband speaks at least some English.
    They had enough common sense to know when they obtained and paid for their ticket in Venezuela, if they originated from there (could have visited elsewhere and obtained a ticket to travel to Dominica), they should have known th expirey date of their ticket.
    This couple probably had no intentions of returning to Venezuela.
    If she does not speak English or did she pretend that she does not as much as comprehend English, surely her husband should be able to speak and also comprehend English.
    In bygone years Immigration in the islands has been lax.
    Today, with what is occurring in the world, increased criminal activities as murderers and thieves, people hiding from the Law of their country, those so-called investors who use people, promising them exorbitant sums of money for their investments, West Indian governments/immigration of all must always be on the alert.
    Visitors are to be welcomed but they must comply with the Law of the land. They cannot take our island and other islands for granted ad the friendliness of the people, believing that they can overstay their visit and then procure permanent landed status and immediately so and by having a baby.
    Well, they got a free return ticket to Venezuela. This is the price that the government/immigration has to pay for not ensuring that when visitors are given a certain amount of time to stay on the island they must leave or be granted an extended stay if approved.
    If they wish to extend their stay they should report to immigration and request an extension.
    Immigration should also follow-up if they have not left the country at the appointed time.
    When Dominican nationals who reside abroad visit are they not also asked how long they intend to stay? Granted there may not be a follow-up because they are Dominican nationals, daughters and sons of the soul. :)
    Non-Dominican nationals who visit must be advised of the Law of the land.
    Dominica is a small country and it could be done.
    I love my Dominican country. It is in my blood, where I was born and brought up. I want what is best for it and for its specifically resident nationals, to make Dominica a better, happier, peaceful and safe place to reside in. This is my vision for Dominica and also for the rest of the world.
    God bless Dominica. God bless its nationals. God bless the entire world.

    • COCOSEC
      July 26, 2011

      One simple observation; when you purchase a plane ticket, there is a departure date and a return date. There is also a difference of cost between a week ticket and a year ticket. How the heck she did not know when she was supposed to return? You do not need LIAT to tell you when to return. You bought the ticket so you know, you know, you know. Immigration needs to start making a list of people entering for short periods and the addresses they live at so that they can follow up on them.

  10. Truth,Justice,Peace
    July 26, 2011

    Good work Immigration. Keep up the good work of keeping undesirables from Dominica. Dominica has its own problems and must try to solve what is occurring in Dominica. It does not need undesirables, non-nationals entering its country and residing there merely to have a good time and then apply for landed status or expect Dominica Immigration to give them an immediate landed status, as occurred with the Mexican woman. I do hope that in the interim she is being investigated.
    If the Venezuelan couple, the woman is of child-bearing age and had a baby in Dominica would they also have been granted a landed stay? Food for thought.

  11. Truth,Justice,Peace
    July 26, 2011

    Some people love Dominica. They also love the easy life.
    They may surf the Web to see where they could easily enter and permanently reside.
    Are they running away from something in their country? Are they criminals in their country, i.e., non-law abiding citizens? They use Dominica and other West Indian islands as a recourse and extended stay believing that they will not be detected and caught.
    We reside in an age of ever-increasing criminality and immorality. Such people will use the smaller, friendly islands as scapegoats to visit and then overstay their visit and reside permanently there, if they are not caught.
    Immigration of those islands as Dominica must be aware, be alert of those visitors. They must keep a record of their intended stay, reason for visiting, how long they are granted a visit and where they will be staying. There should be a follow-up.
    Depending on the length of time, they should also check their cash, ATM and credit cards of those non-nationals.
    Search them as other progressive countries do but do so respectfully while according them their due rights and dignity.
    Keep Dominica safe and secure including its nationals.

  12. July 26, 2011

    you people believe is spanish and hatians alone living illegal in other peoples’ country.you all families are living illegal in america, canada and england and so much more.would you
    make the same comments you people are making.

    • Truth,Justice,Peace
      July 27, 2011

      @ wow

      Stop throwing stones, words and generalizing. Only senseless people as you will make such stupid comments.
      When you say “you people” you are implying that all Dominicans who migrated to other countries are living illegally in those countries.
      Learn to stick to the issue! This article has absolutely nothing to do with where Dominicans reside and whether they do so legally or not. Let them handle their own affairs which have nothing to do with you. Mind your own business.
      Your comments are unwarranted and out-of-place. It does not address or help the situation of non-nationals who come to Dominica, supposedly on vacation as tourists and who overstay their visit without being granted permission to do so.
      Some of you are not able to comment respectfully and amicably. As adults, you still have a lot to learn! Grow up and learn common sense!

  13. Domerican
    July 26, 2011

    I just don’t understand how these immigration officers let these people get away. Every time I come home for two weeks with a damn American passport they want to ask me all kind of foolish questions. I think I might need to bleach my skin and put some long, blonde extensions in my hair next time I come home.

  14. COCOSEC
    July 26, 2011

    Was the handwriting in the husband’s passport also unreadable?

    • Alas
      July 26, 2011

      LMAO…. GOOD QUESTION!!! and how in God’s Name Do you not know when it’s time for you to go home…. you’re the one who bought the darn ticket!…SMH

  15. Inquisitive
    July 26, 2011

    Ticket expired? You never wanted to return. Too like to stay illegal in people country.If it was Venezuela I would have gotten my head cut off already.If u wanted to go home you would have made the utmost effort to do so!!

  16. Anonymous
    July 26, 2011

    They need to deport all the hatians and spanish they have there poluting the reputation of the country.

    • Alas Alas
      July 27, 2011

      How is Dominica better than Haiti?

  17. Jayson
    July 26, 2011

    It looks like Christmas come early for her.

    She wanted to go home and the government facilitated her wishes.

    Free plane ride back to Venezuela!

    • LawieBawie
      July 26, 2011

      There is just no way that this government can please you people. If they let these people stay its a problem for you and when they deport them its still a problem. They just cant win.

  18. July 26, 2011

    This time she and her husband was deported. The defense is that I did not know that they gave me one week. I went to lIAT and they told me that my ticket expired. Did she not know the length of her ticket. The lawyer stated that she did not know that she was given a week and the hand writing was not readable. They are taking advantage of the lapse in the Immigration laws. Thank God this one was captured and that will be a lesson for all those that come to Domininca and refuse to abide by the immigration rules. It look like Dominica is for sale.
    There are so much human trafficing in Dominica it is a shame. There are Africans waiting to be deported. Mexicans overstaying and making baby anf=d getting to saty and become citizen, Venezuelans claiming that they did not know that they were given a week. I am applaud when I come to Dominica I can hardly recognize my own people for there are so many foreign faces and different languages being spoken on the island. Very soon a part of Dominica will be Hatian town, China town and Spanish town and then the Afircan safari.
    Dominica is not for sale and it seems to be a free port. When you have all these nationals there is always the possibility for crime. Look at America today everyday is a robbery and murder. When there is no jobs for the populace drugs and murder will be the order of the day. Dominicans take heed.

    • A
      July 26, 2011

      If she was not caught in Portsmouth, immigration would not have known she overstayed. What do they have in place to ensure that visitors do not overstay on their visit to the Nature Isle. What system are they working with?

    • July 26, 2011

      when you come to dominica?you in a next man country and doh want nobody to come here.the only reason so many people coming here is to work,what else they here to do.yet still they saying no work in the country.GO WAY WITH ALLYOU POLITICS.

    • DARLENE
      July 26, 2011

      AND TO PIGGYBACK ON WHAT YOU WERE SAYING WHICH MAKES SO MUCH SENSE, THERE WILL BE ALL KINDS IF BABIES IN DOMINICA, UGLY ONES THAT ARE BORN FROM HATIANS, CROSS EYES BY CHINESES, SPANISH ONES, WHY THEY ALL COME TO DOMINICA ANY WAY, THE COUNTRY IS STILL CRIME FREE SO THIS IS THEIR BEST PLACE TO BE AT THIS TIME, ACCORDING TO YOU MAKE THEM ALL GO HOME TO THIER ISLANDS OR COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY THE HATIANS

      • hmm
        July 26, 2011

        And ALL Dominicans from the US, Canada,London, Guadeloupe, Antigua, St.. Martin, Aruba, Grenada, St. Thomas, St.Croix… and the list can go on I’m sure… Lets all be fair and make this a two-way street…what do you say?

    • FED UP DOMINICAN
      July 26, 2011

      Quote: I am applaud when I come to Dominica I can hardly recognize my own people for there are so many foreign faces and different languages being spoken on the island. Unquote.

      You live in someone else’s country and can proudly make such a comment. While I believe the judge made the right decision to deport them, I would not (like you) have the nerve to make such a comment.

      Way back in the 50’s and 60’s those were the same words used by the majority of people in the UK. We were told to go back to where we come from. They didn’t want us bringing our ways/culture to their country. We were called names like sambo, monkey, coon etc.

  19. Muslim_Always
    July 26, 2011

    Firstly, our immigration officers are sleeping on them at the airports. They see a “Spanish woman” their penises begin to erect whilst on the job…the flirting and the smiles distract them from doing their job. The woman had a one way ticket, obviously, she had to detained then sent back to her country.

    • DARLENE
      July 26, 2011

      SHE DID NOT HAVE A ONE WAY TICKET MY BROTHER, HER TICKET WAS EXPIRED, JUST AN OBSERVATION. NO WORRIES

    • Truth,Justice,Peace
      July 27, 2011

      @ Muslim

      If you call yourself one and your religion is Islam, I would not expect you to make such a statement. I expect the same from Christians.
      Your second sentence is out-of-place. How could you make such a statement? Have you noticed them? If you are a man do you do likewise? As the saying, “It takes one to know one.” :twisted:
      You are so uncouth. Shame on you! Write respectfully.

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