By FARRAH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
FOUR Haitian men who claimed the devastation wrought on Abaco by Hurricane Dorian caused them to remain in the country after their visas had expired were yesterday fined $300.
Safaite Vercine, 55, Presendieu Presuma, 37, Benson Charles, 32, and Clavel Pierre, 38, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate after they were found in Abaco after the expiration of the time granted to them by an immigration officer to remain in the country.
They all pleaded guilty to one count of overstaying during their arraignment.
The court was told on February 6, a team of officers on patrol in segments of Abaco and its surrounding cays approached the accused and asked them to show proof of their status. After the men were unable to comply with the officers’ request, they were arrested and taken to the island’s immigration office for further processing.
The prosecution said investigations revealed that Vercine, who had overstayed for one year, eight months and 23 days, had entered the country in April 2019 and was given permission to reside in the country for one month. During that time, he made no other applications to extend his visa or regularlise his status.
The court was told Presuma and Pierre also travelled to the country in the latter part of 2019 and had overstayed their welcome by one year, three months and 16 days.
Charles on the other hand, was said to have arrived in the country in March 2019. During his stay, he had applied and received four additional extensions up to October 2019. However, when he applied for another extension that month, his application was refused and he was asked to leave the country. The court heard he remained in the country one year, four months and a day after he was instructed to return home.
Speaking through an interpreter yesterday, Vercine, Presuma, Charles and Pierre told the magistrate that the person who was supposed to apply for their visa extensions died during the storm. They also claimed they had received injuries during the hurricane and did not have any money to purchase tickets to return home.
After accepting their guilty pleas, Magistrate Forbes fined Vercine, Presuma and Pierre $1,500 or 12 months in prison each. He also fined Charles $2,000 or 15 months behind bars. Upon the payment of the fines or completion of the sentences, the men will be handed over to the director of immigration for deportation.
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