A Guyanese reporter, who was reportedly working illegally in St. Maarten, was among two, who were “targeted” by that country’s immigration service.
The Saint Martin News Network reported that immigration officers raided the Today Newspaper on Friday after they were tipped off by a disgruntled employee that the management of Today had at least two persons working illegally for the company. SMN News reported that a well-known local reporter had been having problems with the management of Today who suspended her.
The news network reported that the Today Management decided to remove the person as a reporter and assigned her as their translator. “This however, did not sit well with the reporter so she contacted immigration on more than one occasion informing them that the Today has hired two persons illegally. One of the reporters who was targeted is Sophia Jordan from Guyana”, the report stated.
SMN News reported that the managing editor of the Today, Hilbert Haar visited the immigration department on Thursday hoping to resolve the matter, but even though he was promised that immigration would not visit the Newspaper’s office, the contrary took place on Friday.
According to the report, Haar was invited to the Philipsburg Police Station on Friday where he was questioned about the illegal worker. Immigration officers reportedly told Haar he would be charged with human smuggling. In an invited comment, Prosecutor Rienk Mud said his office was aware of the situation. Mud said the case is under investigation and if it is proven that, the Today indeed hired an illegal they would be issued with a fine, the SMN News reported.
