Franz Manderson Chief Immigration Officer

Three Cuban nationals were arrested last Wednesday for illegal entry into the country.

According to the Government Information Services (GIS), the Immigration officers from the Enforcement Section conducted an operation where the Cubans were arrested without incident. Their request was to return to Cuba.

Further investigations revealed that the three were part of a group of Cubans who stopped into Grand Cayman en route to Honduras on 29 September.

Commenting on the arrest Chief Immigration Officer Franz Manderson said: “The arrest of these Cuban nationals highlights the need for continued vigilance when Cuban vessels arrive in the Islands.”

Mr Manderson pointed out that it is an offence for members of the public to assist or connive in the illegal landing of persons and stated that his department will investigate to determine if members of the public played a part in the three Cuban nationals illegally landing in the Islands.

The Immigration Law sets tough penalties for assisting a person to land illegally in the Islands including a fine of $50,000 or imprisonment for up to seven years.

Additionally, officials state that 12 Cuban migrants, whose vessel arrived off Cayman Brac last week, are still sheltering there from inclement weather. They intend to continue their sea journey to Honduras.