(Barbados Nation) Government is proposing a massive increase in the penalty for breaking immigration laws, from the current Bds$5,000 to a maximum of Bds$50,000.
And it will likely introduce a forthwith fine of Bds$5,000 on masters of vessels who enter and leave without providing an immigration officer with separate lists of passengers and crew members.
It would also be mandatory for these to be supplied prior to arrival or departure.
These proposals are contained in Government’s long-awaited Green Paper entitled a Comprehensive Review Of Immigration Policy And Proposals For Legislative Reform tabled in Parliament this week.
It is the work of a Cabinet sub-committee, set up June 8, 2008, which looked at the need for systemic changes involving both policy and law aimed at strengthening the economic base, ensuring the safety and security of Barbadians, and embracing internationally accepted levels of governance.
Section 30 of the Immigration Act provides for a fine of Bds$5,000 or imprisonment for one year or both on summary conviction.
“It is recommended that this fine be increased to a maximum of Bds$50,000 and the length of imprisonment be increased to five years,” the paper stated.
“Moreover, it is recommended that the penalty for persons found guilty of the offence of terrorism should be substantially higher than that for immigration infractions. There could be various tiers of penalties depending on the seriousness of the offence, with Bds$50,000 and five years being the base amount.”
The discussion paper covers a range of reform and administrative matters, but also more recent controversial issues including illegal immigrants, deportations, and work permits, encapsulated in three sections.
The first deals with key issues requiring reform, including freedom of movement within the context of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, management of labour migration, border control and national and regional security, and public health and public policy.
Section 2 raises issues regarding the role of the Immigration Department; the need for a more strategic approach to contribute to economic growth targets and security objectives; the need to build on measures to improve standards and delivery; and the need to realign policies, systems and procedures.
Proposals for legislative and policy reform are in Section 3. It outlines a slew of legislative amendments to enable the department to participate in national development; play a major role in securing the island against terrorism, transnational crime, human trafficking, narco-trafficking and other criminal activity.