A 44-year-old Vincentian man who is at risk of deportation from the United States although he has had a Permanent Resident Card — “Green Card” — for over 30 years is slated to have a hearing in May.
The man is said to have been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over a criminal charge brought against him 19 years ago for possession of a small quantity of marijuana.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves told the media in Kingstown that the story as he understood it was that the man had had the marijuana in Texas for his personal use.
“He paid his fine. … travelled to and fro even since President Trump had come to office. But on the last occasion when he travelled, … it came up on the database that he had had this particular infraction. And despite the fact that he has had a green card for over 30 years, he’s pulled in the ICE net,” Gonsalves said.
Gonsalves did not identify the Vincentian by name but gave his age and further stated, “he has a good profession, he’s an electrician” and has been living in the United States for over 30 years.
The prime minister said he raised the matter with the chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Barbados after Rondy “Luta” McIntosh, Kingstown’s Consul General in New York informed him about it.
“I’m not calling the name of the person but I know the family. And I’ve spoken to the father of this young man, and I spoke to Luta — Rondy McIntosh…” Gonsalves told the media.
“And I also had a conversation with the chargé d’affaires Miss Sullivan, who is responsible for the US Embassy at the moment in Barbados, in the absence of an ambassador…
“She’s going to get information, all relevant information for me,” the prime minister said, adding that he had also spoken to the father of the detained Vincentian.
“And he’s at a detention centre now; he has his own lawyer. They’re proceeding to deal with this matter. … I’m told by the Father that there, I think on the 16th of May, or something like that. I don’t know what is happening there … but I’ve asked our consul general that he has to use his judgment as to whether he needs to go to New Jersey to see him, where I think he’s at.”
Mr. PM the name of the person you’re afraid to disclosed is your good friend son . The very one you’re accustomed to plant at NDP meetings in the US asking dumb questions.
The one who is on facebook responding to everyone who criticize you and the ULP. The son of your friend is detained and now you playing games and lying to some extent. You have every detail of the issue so don’t pretend.
You’re behind the scene pulling teeth and nails to get your friend son out of detention. The one who should have been detained should be your dispecable pal.
On another note all who planning to come home and vote and rush back the next day to the US am sure they will be scared.
Green Card nah stop hump dump from throwing uno out,,simplesssss