The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

A HAITIAN man who told a court he had paid his employer to handle his immigration paperwork, only for the application never to be filed, was among eight foreign nationals fined a combined $4,600 yesterday.

Seven Haitians and a Jamaican woman appeared before Senior Magistrate Kendra Kelly. Six were convicted of overstaying their permitted time in The Bahamas, and two of landing without the permission of an immigration officer.

Carlo Liberal, 21, was found in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, on October 20, five days past his permitted stay. He told the court he had given his employer money for his immigration paperwork, but the application was never submitted.

Magistrate Kelly said it was improper to enter The Bahamas as a visitor and then apply for permission to work, explaining that people seeking work permits must be outside the country while their applications are processed.

Liberal was fined $500 or one month at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS), and deportation was recommended.

Judeson Saindelien, 30, also known as Deper Val, Marie Naidjie Estilien, 21, and Love Chandela Estilien, 19, pleaded guilty to overstaying after immigration officers found them in New Providence on October 19. The court heard that Saindelien had overstayed by six months and 29 days, Marie Estilien by nine months and 28 days and Love Estilien by three months and 21 days.

When Marie Estilien tried to explain her circumstances, she told the court she had been working in The Bahamas. Magistrate Kelly said immigration records showed she had entered as a visitor, and that working on those terms was illegal.

Saindelien and Marie Estilien were each fined $1,000 or two months at BDOCS. Love Estilien was fined $500 or one month. All three were ordered deported.

Aikouze Paul, 29, and Loudni Jille, 20, were each fined $300 or one month at BDOCS for illegal landing. The pair were found in New Providence on October 8 and told the court they had arrived by boat but could not remember when.

Richard-Mos Spee James Joseph, 26, also found in New Providence on October 8, pleaded guilty to overstaying. The court heard his work permit had expired on June 9, 2026, more than three months before he was found. He was fined $500 or one month at BDOCS.

Jamaican national Leshana Woodburn, 40, pleaded guilty to overstaying after immigration officers found her in George Town, Exuma, on October 20. She told the court she had arrived on September 9, 2026, intending to stay for two months, and had already bought a return ticket for November.

She was fined $500 or one month at BDOCS, and deportation was recommended. Magistrate Kelly told her immigration authorities could coordinate her departure with a scheduled return flight if she bought a ticket.

All defendants except Joseph were told they had seven days to appeal.