Darina and Ina Pinzaru.
AFTER two Moldovan women were refused entry to The Bahamas at Lynden Pindling International Airport, the boyfriend of one has turned to the international media to complain that officials here assumed the pair were sex workers.
Miami-based real estate developer Hal “Nuby” Sears, 64, told the New York Post that he had planned to propose to girlfriend Darina Pinzaru, 25, during a voyage on his yacht last month – but she was refused entry to The Bahamas, along with her sister, Ina, 36.
He said they had been refused entry by a female immigration official, who reportedly told them: “I know why you’re here.”
The sisters reportedly had all necessary requirements for entry to The Bahamas, including hotel reservations and future itineraries.
The older sister was reportedly initially granted entry but then the younger sister was stopped. Both were then reportedly taken to the airport’s immigration office for questioning.
Darina told the New York Post: “We were treated like criminals. They even threatened to put us in jail.”
Mr Sears said the Four Seasons’ Ocean Club head of security joined him at the airport and spoke to the head immigration officer but he said they were told: “They’re not in, they are out… I have information, they’re not coming in.”
Older sister Ina said to the New York Post: “This lady, the head of immigration, came out and she said ‘Yeah, I know your culture. I know why you’re here. We don’t want you here, and you’ll never set foot on Bahamian land.”
Ina said she could only assume that the head of immigration thought they were sex workers. Both sisters were put on a flight back to London.
A complaint has reportedly been filed with the Bahamas embassy in London. Mr Sears told the New York Post that he wanted an apology from the Bahamas government, “but we’re never going to get it”.
Comments
birdiestrachan 1 year, 8 months ago
It may have something to do with the way they answered questions It should be investigated It is wise not to give them all the right and the immigration officers all the wrong
IslandWarrior 1 year, 8 months ago
A typical Bahamian would seize any chance to display hypocrisy, well aware of the negative behaviour of Bahamian Enforcement Officials, who often adopt a highly embarrassing approach to Public Service.
GodSpeed 1 year, 8 months ago
"Miami-based real estate developer Hal “Nuby” Sears, 64, told the New York Post that he had planned to propose to girlfriend Darina Pinzaru, 25"
So they are sex workers, just...the more clever kind.
mandela 1 year, 8 months ago
I can believe Mr. Sears, our forces, police, immigration, and defense force are bullies, instead of doing their jobs they meddle in people's personal affairs turning them into their personal business, she should be moved to the back office.
Porcupine 1 year, 8 months ago
It is a good thing the The Bahamas never allows anyone in who may not have the best interest of our country at heart. God forbid.
birdiestrachan 1 year, 8 months ago
The yacht how nice but what does it have to do with immigration , 64 years old,
birdiestrachan 1 year, 8 months ago
The yacht how nice but what does it have to do with immigration , 64 years old,
stillwaters 1 year, 8 months ago
65 male with money....25 female with honey...nuff said......
birdiestrachan 1 year, 8 months ago
True it made me laugh ,
hrysippus 1 year, 8 months ago
Thank goodness this alert female immigration officer managed to prevent this visitor entering our country to have sex with her fiancé.. I can only imagine with horror what might have happened if the visitor was allowed in. Why did no one manage to stop the man?
IslandWarrior 1 year, 8 months ago
Despite speaking about prostitution in a degrading manner, it is an openly flourishing business in the Bahamas, both for locals and within the tourism industry, and has been for quite some time.
If true:
"Yeah, I know your culture. I know why you’re here. We don’t want you here, and you’ll never set foot on Bahamian land.”
This statement Is so far from what The Bahamas truly is!
IslandWarrior 1 year, 8 months ago
We are all well aware of the negative behaviour of Bahamian Enforcement Officials, who often adopt a highly embarrassing approach to Public Service.
Despite speaking about prostitution in a degrading manner, it is an openly flourishing business in the Bahamas, both for locals and within the tourism industry, and has been for quite some time.
If true:
This statement Is so far from what The Bahamas truly is!
rosiepi 1 year, 8 months ago
Your remark should have been phrased “Is so far from what The Bahamas should be” Come on! How many times have folks, citizens and card carrying residents been harassed and/or yelled at to stop at LPA by somebody’s cousin in a ‘security’ uniform heaving themselves off the wall they’re holding up to pry/rummage round our purses, or carryon luggage without a plausible reason. I still remember members of my non profit group being arrested by Immigration for attempting to go about their daily routine in a local children’s care home.
LastManStanding 1 year, 8 months ago
Given the country of origin, it would be reasonable for immigration to have concerns regarding that issue.
whogothere 1 year, 8 months ago
This is wild. What's the old line - innocent until proven guilty?
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