As part of the Ministry of Human Resources and Immigration’s statistical reporting, the Department of Immigration (DOI) has released a report from its Enforcement Division.

Since the beginning of the second quarter of 2017 (1 July – 24 November) a total of 289 cases have been investigated by the DOI’s Enforcement Division and more than CI$67,457.50 has been collected in administrative fines.

The mission of the Enforcement Division is to increase compliance with the Immigration Law of the Cayman Islands. Through its enforcement operations, the division is responsible forthe investigation, detection and prosecution of Immigration offences and breaches of the law.

The main categories in which arrests have been made since 1 July 2017 are overstaying their authorisation to remain on island totalling 102, employing a person outside terms and conditions of a work permit with 64 and working outside the terms and conditions of a work permit with 40.

The main categories in which persons were charged are overstaying authorisation to remain on island with 29, employing a person outside terms and conditions of a work permit with 24 and making a false representation with 14.

“This section within DOI is divided into two teams,” Acting Chief Immigration Officer Bruce Smith explains. “The Enforcement Division deals primarily with patrols, investigations, Cuban migrant matters, asylum, repatriation and removal. Meanwhile, the Compliance Division deals primarily with referrals from the Work Permit Board, Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board and other internal sections within the department.”

Together the two teams proactively engage in joint operations to tackle illegal immigration and bolster compliance with the country’s immigration laws.

The DOI Enforcement Division continues to partner with the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), Cayman Islands Customs Department, and the Department of Labour and Pension (DLP) in joint operations to regulate migration in line with government policy. Such joint operations continue to yield valuable intelligence and have resulted in arrests for various offences.

In other matters related to immigration enforcement, the total number of migrants repatriated to Cuba since July 2017 now stands at 7. Currently 26 Cuban migrants remain at the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC).

“We are committed to identifying, investigating and dismantling vulnerabilities regarding the country’s border and the interior.” Acting Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Jeremy Scott said. “The Enforcement Division dedicates all of its resources and law enforcement efforts to ensure that compliance with the law is carried out on a daily basis.”

He added, “We continue to encourage members of the public to be diligent in their awareness of illegal activity and to always report breaches of the law.”

Anyone with information about immigration related offences is urged to contact the confidential information hotline at 1-800-LEGALIM (1-800-534-2546), or email [email protected].