Immigration Department Issues Warning Over Sponsorship Of Non-nationals

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The Department of Immigration says it has become aware that many Antigua and Barbuda nationals are volunteering to act as sponsors to facilitate the visit of non-nationals to the country.

The department, in a news release today advised all persons that the act of serving as a sponsor for a non-national is a serious undertaking that comes with many responsibilities. It is therefore not something to be taken lightly.

“The person acting as a sponsor is responsible for ensuring that the non-national obeys the laws of Antigua and Barbuda during the period of his/her stay and to return to his/her country of origin at the expiration of his/her legal time in Antigua and Barbuda.

The Department of Immigration has observed that persons are presenting themselves as sponsors for individuals visiting the country and that soon after the person arrives, forego all responsibilities related to the non-national. The Department wishes to inform all sponsors that they are responsible for the visitor and should he/she wish to cease being a sponsor, that he/she should visit the Department of Immigration accompanied by the non-national and make this known to the department. This is to ensure that proper monitoring of the non-national for the remaining time in the country,” the release stated.

Meanwhile, the Department of Immigration is reminding all non-nationals who are out of legal time and are desirous of remaining in the country, to visit the Department to have their status regularized.

“The Department wishes to inform all persons who are in breach of this regulation that it is an offence to remain beyond the time that they are permitted to be in the country. Therefore, anyone found in breach may be subject to the penalties prescribed in the Passport and Immigration Act,” it warned.

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7 COMMENTS

  1. Who is responsible for that release?

    That’s sounds childish. And the person who wrote it obviously is not familiar with the Constitution, laws, or the Immigration Act.

    1 Each adult age 18 is responsible for his or her self in Antigua and Barbudans the Constitution clearly outline those rights and freedom.

    2 Human trafficking is being suggested if the sponsor becomes responsible for an adult’s actions.

    3 No sponsor can be held liable for any visitor because there are no laws to support it.

    No wonder the immigration department is in constant chaos, and cricis mode.

    The last two paragraphs, so if you are in breach turn your self in and suffer the penalty in the last paragraph

    • Not sure if my response will help but you have to be sponsored whenever you enter any country. Canada for example requires that the sponsor signs a latter stating that they are your sponsor when you are applying for a visa. When you apply for your US visa or travel to the us you have to indicate your address when you are there.

      • @ Just saying

        Canada has laws that supports sponsorship. Antigua and Barbudans has no such laws.

        No sponsor will ever be prosecuted, this idea is just an immigration policy not law.

        Policy cannot go before the court.

  2. The next release issued to cover up this poorly written obviously I’ll adviced one must contain the following.
    Who can be a sponsor?
    Requirements of a sponsor?
    Laws that governs sponsorship?
    Laws that governs illegal immigrants?
    Official releases from a law enforcement agency is expected to have facts supported by authority.

    How many undocumented persons are in Antigua?
    Why is the immigration department monitoring visitors?
    I thought immigration facilitates entry and exit and regulates time in the country.

    Isn’t it the police that does the monitoring of visitors?

    Damage control please i know a few competent immigration officers and this release certainly does not represent Nigel.

    • Melchisedec I have read your comments and realized that the answers to your statements can be found on ABS evening news (24/6/2019) where Mr. Wesley Simon of the immigration department explains in details about the laws of Antigua and Barbuda in relation to being a sponsor of someone entering the country for vacation purpose.
      Take a listen.

      • @Proud Antiguan

        Any law that uses the word may is really not a law and it is non binding.

        Give it read.

        Mr Wesley Simon might be in to deep a water.

        This is why lawyers are winning cases against the Immigration Department overwhelmingly.

        Ask Immigration how many times they have won a case where there was a challenge?

Comments are closed.