Nassau, BAHAMAS-A magistrate ordered the deportation of Jamaican security guard Omar Walford after he admitted overstaying his spousal permit by two years.
Though married to a Bahamian, Omar Walford was in the country illegally because he didn’t renew his spousal permit when it expired in January 2018.
Walford, 42, pleaded guilty to overstaying at his arraignment before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans on March 13.
Immigration officers arrested Walford at his apartment on March and took him to the Detention Centre after he couldn’t show he was here legally.
His arrest came days days after a video with him bragging that Jamaicans lived better in The Bahamas than Bahamians went viral on social media.
Immigration investigators learned that Walford’s spousal permit had expired on January 30, 2018 and there were no pending applications for renewal.
The court heard that Walford applied for permanent residence in 2017. But the application was cancelled because he had failed to submit additional documents.
Vogt-Evans ordered Walford to pay a $3,000 fine to avoid serving eight months in prison. After he pays the fine or serves his sentence, Walford will be turned over to immigration for deportation. Vogt-Evans said she considered Walford’s early plea of guilt and lack of remorse in arriving at her sentence.
The magistrate asked Walford if he had anyone to pay his fine.
Walford’s Bahamian wife stood, but said that she didn’t have enough money.
Vogt-Evans said, “He’s in custody until you pay it.”
Vogt-Evans told the convict, “Mr. Walford, the charge of overstaying is a very serious offense. This country is able to sustain itself by its taxes; we take care of our people, our roads, our hospitals, our public institutions.
“When persons refuse to pay those taxes, they are robbing the country at large. So, if you intend to live here and remain here in this Bahamas, you have to pay your taxes like every other Bahamian.”
