The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

TWO Haitian nationals - a brother and sister - were charged in Grand Bahama with breach of the Immigration Act after they allegedly overstayed their time in the country by almost a year.

Bydarck Edouard Mathieu, 23, and Marie Edouard Mathieu, 29, appeared before Magistrate Rengin Johnson. They pleaded guilty to the charge.

According to the particulars, the pair entered the country from Haiti in December 2017 on short-term work permits for a period of three weeks. After their permits expired, they did not obtain an extension or leave the country and remained without legal status.

Magistrate Johnson ordered the pair to pay a fine of $3000 each or in default serve nine months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in New Providence. They were also ordered to be deported on payment of the fine or on completion of prison time.

Additionally Joseph Augustine, 38, was charged with illegal landing and being engaged in gainful occupation without a work permit.

He appeared in court one before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson where he pleaded guilty to the charges.

According to the particulars, Augustine was found in waters near Grand Cay on board a commercial fishing vessel working without first obtaining a work permit by the director of immigration. He was also found in the country, having arrived here without leave of an immigration officer.

Magistrate Ferguson ordered Augustine pay a $3,000 fine for illegally engaging in gainful occupation without a work permit, or in default serve nine months in prison.

He was fined $300 for illegal landing or in default serve six months in prison at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Both sentences are to run concurrently. He was also ordered to be deported on payment of the fines or completion of his custodial sentence.