Part VI – Entry and Landing
It is proposed that provision be created for dependants of Caymanians to be granted permission upon application to the Chief Immigration Officer to reside in the Islands for a renewable period of up to three years. There was no provision previously in the law that allowed dependants of Caymanians to reside in the Islands. This put Caymanians at a disadvantage as compared to work permit holders, Government employees and permanent residents who are allowed to be accompanied by dependants. The provision would only apply however to the parent, grandparent, brother or sister of the Caymanian.
It is also proposed that a new provision be created under which sponsors of a tourist visitor seeking permission to land or seeking an extension of their stay may be required by an Immigration Officer to give an undertaking in writing that they will be responsible for that tourist visitor’s maintenance and accommodation during his stay in the Islands. In giving this undertaking the sponsor will also be required to inform the Chief Immigration Officer of the continued presence in the Islands of the visitor after the expiry of his permission to remain.
Administrative Removal from the Islands
It is proposed that provision be created in the revised law for persons who have no right to be in the Islands or who obtained permission to enter by deception to be removed without the need for a deportation order. This would remove the need to seek the approval of Cabinet for a deportation order in each and every case where a person has been found in the Islands illegally.
Proposed new offence in relation to assisting persons to enter or leave the Islands illegally
If a person is convicted of assisting another person to land in or depart from the Islands in contravention of the law it is proposed that the court is now in certain circumstances empowered to order the forfeiture of the vehicle or vessel used or intended to be used in connection with the offence.