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Stricter immigration screening needed- concerned residents

- gave example of recent deporting of St Vincent national, a convicted criminal, who had lied to VI immigration authorities
Former Acting Chief Immigration Officer, Mr Guy Hill (left) and former Governor of the Virgin Islands, Mr William B. McCleary have been commended for their part played in the deportation of a St Vincent national who had told immigration authorities he hadn't a criminal record when in fact he had served time in his homeland for manslaughter. Photo: VINO/File
The call for tighter screening of persons coming to reside in the territory is not new, however, the call has been made fresh following the discovery that an ex-con had deceived immigration authorities and was living in the Virgin Islands for years. The St Vincent national was deported last year, 2014. Photo VINO/File
The call for tighter screening of persons coming to reside in the territory is not new, however, the call has been made fresh following the discovery that an ex-con had deceived immigration authorities and was living in the Virgin Islands for years. The St Vincent national was deported last year, 2014. Photo VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – While issues of border security relating to trafficking in persons and drugs have been a concern in the Virgin Islands (VI), several persons have expressed the serious need for a stronger background check of persons entering the territory via the various ports.

During late 2013 and early 2014, this news site was bombarded by calls from an individual who brought to our attention the presence in the territory of a St Vincent national who was convicted for manslaughter and had spent some 10 years behind bars for the crime.

The source of this information at the time had feared for his life and claimed he was even threatened by the man on one occasion.

Resident assists Immigration Dept

He had told this news site that he knew of the man’s background of being an ex-convict and had pain-stakingly tried to get the Immigration Department to have the man investigated but the process at the time seemed to have been taking extremely longer than it should. “It should have been easy because I gave them all the information, I gave them his right name and I gave them the name he changed to, to get past immigration,” he had told this news site as he had also pleaded with us to do the investigation and make it public.

Several calls were made by this news site to St Vincent authorities who had promised to return calls with information but never did.

“I must say thanks to Mr Guy Hill because when I thought he wasn’t doing anything he really did and that ex-con is back in his country. So I just called on behalf of my good friend who had told you guys about this matter,” said one Mr F. Malone.

From Mark Peters to Mark DeFreitas!

The ex-convict was known in the VI as Mark Antonio DeFreitas but his real is Mark Peters. In 2000 he was charged for the murder of one Darrel Jacobs of Diamond Village, St Vincent. He had, however, appealed the murder charge and was found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter. He completed his 10-year sentence in a prison in St Vincent in 2007.

It was after his release that the man chose the VI as his home to get away from his past sins and had taken out a Deed Poll that changed his name from Mark Peters to Mark DeFreitas.

Investigations revealed that DeFreitas got a passport in St Vincent in the name of Mark Antonio DeFreitas and successfully made his way into the VI where he resided for a number of years.

“My friend did what the Immigration should have done. My friend investigated this man, took it to the Immigration Department and now he is deported,” said Mr Malone.

“He got in here, hooked up with one of our innocent girls, got work permit and all that you know, but thank God he is now deported, but there are more to be investigated,” he added.

In the High Court it was found that the man on entering the territory deceitfully presented documents in a new name, purporting that he had absolutely no previous conviction. However, he recently lost a legal battle against a Deportation Order made in 2014 by the then Governor William Boyd McCleary.

Background

When the man had completed an Application for an Entry for Immigration purposes, he stated that his name was previously ‘Mark Cousel Peters’. Following that initial permit, his entry and work permit were renewed yearly.

It was in January 2014 he was interviewed by the Immigration Department about his immigration status in the VI and, based on the revelations and findings, he was then asked to surrender his passport and leave the territory by February, 13, 2014. He was also given until April 9, 2014 to state why the then Governor should not have made the Deportation Order against him.

The then Chief Immigration Officer Guy Hill had explained that the Deportation Order had resulted from the man’s conviction for manslaughter in a foreign jurisdiction.

Therefore, based on the Immigration and Passport Ordinance, he was said to be “an undesirable immigrant and his presence in the territory is not conducive to the public good”.

The Plea

“We have many issues facing this very small territory and this is a serious one as the crimes, gun crimes are climbing. We need to have some way of doing some background checks, randomly for a start, to bring back the beauty and innocence of this little place we call nature’s little secret,” said the source.

Mr Malone said the territory is quickly evolving into something that may soon become too big to handle by government. “They must act now and fast.”

40 Responses to “Stricter immigration screening needed- concerned residents”

  • just saying.. (17/06/2015, 09:57) Like (16) Dislike (19) Reply
    Everything gone down the drain since 2011
  • Comment (17/06/2015, 10:19) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Immigration, another issue in which transparency, checks and balances is greatly needed as well.
    • Calvin Titre (17/06/2015, 15:12) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Welll the removed an individual who was going to do that but that's life in these Virgin Islands. deal with it.
  • COUNTRY (17/06/2015, 10:41) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    The VI laws is a BIG JOKE don't tell me a man commit a crime in his country come to the VI and went to court fighting to stay here that tell me the some thing is wrong with the laws elected ministers and the Governor please fix the laws before its to late.
  • wize up (17/06/2015, 11:07) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    immigrant truly needs an overhaul: we need to upgrade the system and establish better communications with other countries: better local inspection of work places...person here on permits doing 3/4 jobs.....immigration needs to work hand in hand with our department of labour...if you not gainfully employed one should be asked to leave.....just saying
  • Citizen (17/06/2015, 11:12) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    To bad there are no UK Observers who can come and check into these issues too.
  • dem say (17/06/2015, 11:13) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is a shame when political interference gets in between someone doing their job!
  • The Observer (17/06/2015, 11:26) Like (33) Dislike (0) Reply
    What we have in the BVI as far as our Immigration Regulations and enforcement is concerned is a run away train. The general policy in the Premier's office is, "we are our neighbour's keeper." Guy Hill my not have had the best personality as the Chief Immigration Officer but he enforced the laws as they relate to Immigration matters. Replacing him with a yes man has only served to compound the problem and under mine the very laws which are there to protect us from these criminals. There must be a willingness to do what is right and allow the chips to fall where they may. Does the Minister have the resolve to take the bull by the horn? I think not.
    • @The Observer (17/06/2015, 13:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      So True...What did the Governor say 'was a think of the pass'? I hope he truly addresses these issues.
  • C..t (17/06/2015, 11:45) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ndp doit
  • KIDL (17/06/2015, 11:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    i know of a similar matter , where a jamaica kill some one in his country came to the bvi and get pass immigration and live here for 10yrs illegally, he the married a vincentian lady and went to st vincent with her , he then left his wife for another vincentian , when he and his girl friend was leaving mainland st vincent to travel to the grenadine islands of union island, his then wife showed up and he box her to the ground, so immigration need do their background checks carefully
  • fact (17/06/2015, 12:43) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply

    The immigrations need to sweep east end in the early morning or late at night because I know at least r two Jamaican here over staying in the country at present. One is even going around doing mechanic work and a few police and government vehicles. 

  • Token (17/06/2015, 13:23) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are several Jamaicans as well as other nationals with convictions that were deported from other places and live in the BVI. But they have persons that help them beat the system. They lie on their immigration forms all the time. Why aren't all the Caribbean Islands connected to Interpool? Traffic Dept. collect fingerprints but those fingerprints are only run through the local system.
  • LBM (17/06/2015, 13:51) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    Why is there a picture of Guy Hill though? He isn't the head of Immigration!
    • BlackButterfly (17/06/2015, 14:36) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      “I must say thanks to Mr Guy Hill because when I thought he wasn’t doing anything he really did and that ex-con is back in his country. So I just called on behalf of my good friend who had told you guys about this matter,” said one Mr F. Malone.

      The then Chief Immigration Officer Guy Hill had explained that the Deportation Order had resulted from the man’s conviction for manslaughter in a foreign jurisdiction.
    • @LBM (17/06/2015, 14:43) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      Maybe because he ran it correctly?
  • Shampoo Bracelets the Panty Melter (17/06/2015, 14:00) Like (3) Dislike (21) Reply
    WOW! Talk about the 33rd gegree od snitching! I mean the man try to change his past and get married and someone take it upon himself to investigate a man who minding his business? You know it was a local probably some weak fool who like the girl but he from here so she know he is gross. This rat need ETHER.
  • Tiss Tiss (17/06/2015, 14:20) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man blaming everyone for reporting him. if you wrong...you wrong.
  • .... (17/06/2015, 14:21) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Fingerprinting needs to be done at Immigration and Labor Department. It's time to step up security measures in the B.V.I.
  • gamer (17/06/2015, 15:19) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    “I must say thanks to Mr Guy Hill because when I thought he wasn’t doing anything he really did and that ex-con is back in his country.

    That man Hill is such a City Slicker. good job. @ LBM ur such a Bammer. Hill and retired Senior Surveillance officer Waltwers is who investigated the reports on that bloke. Give credit where it is due. Seems like you have orts with the man.
  • digging holes (17/06/2015, 15:20) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    You tooooo damn lie!!!!!!!!!!!! No one threatened you! You just like a woman; you like too much melee and want to be in thing.

    You say you tell Immigration, and Immigration say it was a woman.

    You had pain-stakingly tried to get the Immigration Department to have the man investigated but the process at the time seemed to have been taking extremely longer than it should. “It should have been easy because I gave them all the information, I gave them his right name and I gave them the name he changed to, to get past immigration,” he had told this news site as he had also pleaded with us to do the investigation and make it public.

    Well if it was you, you digging hole for people? While you digging, dig a big one to bury yourself. Karma done packed her bag caught a plane and is on her way.
  • just saying.. (17/06/2015, 15:29) Like (7) Dislike (11) Reply
    We needed the vip in to secure the ministry of national security
  • To Observer (17/06/2015, 15:30) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What you know about hill personality? let us know since u seem to be the writer of the Great Gatsby.
    • Observer (18/06/2015, 00:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      It pays to listen before speaking. One must remember, there is a reason why we have two ears and one mouth.
  • The real Fake People- (17/06/2015, 15:57) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    So its like saying Fxxxxxuuuxxxxccccxxxxxk Jeus and Ible-...If a human is not entitle for-forgiveness and Redemption-after he has sinned, a sin for which he has been punished for-We are the real Criminal and sinners--Our hearts are desperately wicked and know no love...Why did they deport the man. Did he broke any laws here?
    • Carli (17/06/2015, 23:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      So what is so wrong with him bring at home in st Vincent? Bv islanders are deported from the US all the time after serving time for whatever crime they commit.
  • wetback the pirate (17/06/2015, 16:22) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    if you're going to investigate everyone who has or may have done something 'wrong' or what someone else thinks
    is wrong, in order to deport them, you might as well deport the whole country. There's all kinds of scrutiny of
    foreigners coming here to live, while at same time some really seriously destructive people are happy as a clam
    here and very wealthy and influential. Quite the mixed bag. Sometimes it is a bag of nuts.
  • laughable (17/06/2015, 16:38) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    What are strict laws when our own local people assist with bending and breaking them? Most of the illegal nonsense happening here with Immigration and Labour is being facilitated by our own local people for a little crutch or a few dollars. Do the math and follow the money, it's sickening. We sit here and act as though these people are doing these things on their own but it's not possible without the local help. There are many locals here falsifying documentation, advertising fake jobs, sponsoring people, smuggling people, asking uncle, aunt, cousin, god father in certain positions to give this one and that one a chance. It is an entire culture of corruption that will never change. Government can pass all the laws they want, all those departments from Police, Immigration, Labour, Customs, many of them don't give a sh** about protecting the BVI. They only give a sh** about the big money they make on the side making life easier for the bad seeds while we get the nasty end of the stick. Stop being naive, it's our own people causing this damn destruction and all for what? A little santo pork and a fist full of dollars? Shameful what we have become then are not man/woman enough to admit, but hide behind Government and laws. Bullsh**!

  • watch out (17/06/2015, 17:13) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    He dig the hole so deep and wide that he fall in it twice and he better be careful he may just fall in it again for that mouth of his.
  • facts (17/06/2015, 17:24) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

    Who was the one going around telling his mistresses and others that he kill a teenager in st Vincent and he would do it again? who was even threatening his former employers? he even beat one-off at fine food in east end.the matter was reported to the police.He even brought his brother here trying to fine work for him.The same brother who was shot in the face in st Vincent during a robbery.The security guard shot him when he allegedly attempted to rob the lottery money.thats a fact.The criminal record office in st Vincent is what really need investigating.

  • vincyman (17/06/2015, 18:20) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
    the man did the crime and the time and now trying to start a new life,never did a crime afterward in st vincent or in the bvi,yes i know mark personally.THIS IS snitching to the highest degree on Ur own country man who had made great improvement to his life..i think u WILL GET SOME KARMA SOON. DeFreitas is his fathers name and peters is his mothers last-name,i think he has the right to came anyone once he change it legally, finally am a VINCENTIAN BUT i does try my best to stay after from vincy ppl cuz they are crabs,u will help them an they will turn around an bite u.....#LABOURNOW
  • wize up (17/06/2015, 20:08) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    under the last head of immigration; that department went downward: immigration is about regulating the flow of persons in and out of a country, be such persons citizens, residents or visitors: someone mentioned finger printing, that's a great idea: no one wants persons of bad character living among them...all of us that call this place home wants to fell safe...immigration reform is the way forward; if you have nothing to hide then you will have no problem
    • REX FERAL (17/06/2015, 21:12) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

      @wise up. That department didnt went down and u dam well know that. U just didnt get ur Dam way. The last head probably kept your @$$ in check and u did not like him for that.

    • Tolian (18/06/2015, 07:12) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      Hush your mouth Island man
  • Lord Help Us (17/06/2015, 22:20) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whether man snitch or woman.snitch. ..wrong is wrong...if he had kill your family member...how would you feel?
  • karma (18/06/2015, 06:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    If he had kill your 19 yr old son what would you be saying or doing.we must think about the effect something like this would have on us if it was our son or brother.st vincent is so small the bvi is even smaller how can anyone come here to hide and for how long.there are police officers right here from svg that was involve in the arrest of this killer.i surely do not want him to be my neighbour.the laws here and in other caribbean islands do not accept criminals like these.most of these people who came here for the past 10 to 15 yrs have no respect for the country and people of these beautiful virgin islands.everything bad to say about this place and still fighting court battle trying to stay here..did'nt no one told u about our laws mr criminal and those who give them safe refuge.they only pretend they love us they only love what they can get.
  • voter (18/06/2015, 07:11) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cousin Guy was the man in Immigration. No BS slipped past him and the Ministers couldn't pull one on him. Thats why he isn't the head no more. Not a yes man. He stuck to the letter of the law
  • Forbidden Truth (19/06/2015, 10:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Stricter immigration screening needed- concerned residents"
    REALLY!!!!
    Hill was enforcing the laws but what did the Government do?


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