Immigration will enforce strict
visa requirements for children
PHILIPSBURG--The Immigration Department in St. Maarten has announced that it will not permit entry to St. Maarten of any child under age twelve who travels from a visa-restricted country without a visa and official letters of authorisation allowing him or her to travel with a third party.
This statement came on the heels of a case heard in the Court of First Instance on Monday in which Attorney-at-Law Jairo Bloem argued against the detention of a five-year-old girl who had travelled from the Dominican Republic to St. Maarten without her parents and only with letters. Bloem said this had been allowed for many years.
The Judge agreed with his argument and ordered the child’s release. According to police spokesman Chief Inspector Johan “Janchi” Leonard, the Immigration Department has stated since then, “Children under age 12 travelling from visa-restricted countries can travel with their parents or a legal guardian and are allowed entry.”
However, when a child under age 12 travels without his or her parents or a legal guardian, the conditions for exemption are not met. The child needs a visa and a letter from parents or a legal guardian authorising the child to travel with a third party. The child must also have an original letter.
This is to protect against the abduction of children.
Children travelling from countries that have no visa requirements will still need to be accompanied by the official letter of authorisation.
Leonard said Chief Immigration Officer Ademar Doran had warned that all Immigration laws would be enforced strictly.
