The Department of Homeland Security is seeking legal options from the Attorney General’s Office on how to deal with the sponsor of several Indian men who have overstayed their entry permits and do not possess immigration ID cards.
Some of the men have been in the territory for more than a year.
Director of Homeland Security Samana Semo Veavea says the men claim that they gave their sponsor, who is from Leone, money to pay for their immigration bonds with the understanding that the sponsor was obtaining ID cards for them.
But they never received ID cards.
Meanwhile, the sponsor left the territory and is now reported to be living in California. He informed local authorities that he has terminated sponsorship of the Indian men.
Yesterday in a joint operation between Homeland Security and the Immigration Division, seven men were rounded up from 1602 apartments in Leone and Iliili.
Director Samana says the men were being supported by their families off island and that’s how they were able to afford their rent. None of them are working.
After they were questioned Wednesday, they were allowed to return to their apartments but have surrendered their passports. Samana said the sponsor should pay for their return home.
None of the men have a return ticket home, which is a requirement for foreigners entering the territory.
Samana says the men presented itineraries instead of airline tickets to Immigration and that’s how they were cleared to enter.
