Cuban national deported for overstaying time in Jamaica

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court issued an order on Monday that a Cuban national, who had overstayed his time in Jamaica by just under four years, should be deported.

Valdimir Dacosta was charged with overstaying in Jamaica by three years and eight months. Allegations are that he arrived in the island on February 1, 2009, and received an extension of his stay to July 27, 2009, but made no effort to regularise his status after that time. He was eventually arrested on March 21, 2013.

In court, Dacosta's lawyer, Viv Golaub, asked Resident Magistrate Carolyn Tai to allow his client the opportunity to regularise his status, citing that Dacosta had got married to a Jamaican citizen in 2010.

"I was informed that he (Dacosta) had got documentation and commenced drafting the documents; however, what happened after that is unknown. There was an issue with the names on the marriage certificate, and thus, there was a delay," said Golaub.

"This is an administrative offence, and he has no other charges and is no threat to society. I ask that you give him some time to regularise his status," added Golaub.

But RM Tai shot down the lawyer's request, citing Dacosta's lack of effort to regularise himself during the three-year period.

"What concerns me is the fact that in three years and eight months, he has been here with an improper status. There is also the question of a precedent being set. It cannot be that there is a breach and then the court gives the opportunity for it to be rectified," said RM Tai.

The magistrate was also told that Dacosta's marriage had resulted in a separation sometime during 2010.

"The application for citizenship has to be done with his wife, and the marriage has broken down and they have both moved on. Based on the time he has spent in custody, I will admonish him, and he is to be deported," said RM Tai, before Dacosta was eventually led out of the courtroom.