Kambon: Haitian case key for foreign students

On Friday afternoon High Court judge, Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh had granted an injunction temporarily barring the deportation of Saint-Herve to his homeland. Saint-Herve had been ordered to leave the country by the Chief Immigration Officer by yesterday. He was due to leave at 6.25 am. The matter came up before Justice Boodoosingh, who granted an ex parte injunction based on the submissions filed by a team of lawyers, Friday afternoon at the Hall of Justice, Portof- Spain. The team, led by Gregory Delzin of Trinity Chambers, filed the injunction to stop the Chief Immigration Officer from deporting Saint-Herve earlier in the day. Saint-Herve will have to appear in the San Fernando court tomorrow where the matter will be heard.

Kambon, who penned a letter to the Chief Immigration Officer Charmaine Ghandi-Andrews seeking to stop Saint-Herve from being sent back home, told Sunday Newsday yesterday that tomorrow is going to be “a very important day”.

He said it will be interesting to hear in the court how the immigration officials are going to respond.

He also said the judgment will be very important regarding the protection of other students as well.

Kambon reported that he was not in contact with Saint-Herve who resided somewhere in East Trinidad.

He said the student has a good legal team and a solid case.

On October 25, Saint-Herve was told by an officer at the Immigration Office that his application for a student visa had been denied and he was told to return with his ticket on October 28 and to leave the country by November 5.

He returned with the ticket on October 28. No reasons were given for the denial at the time.

In response to subsequent queries, immigration officials raised issues about the number of courses he was studying, the quality of his English and his financial status.

Saint-Herve arrived in TT on August 16, after he was accepted to pursue an associate degree at Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative Studies (CCLCS).

He was accepted to pursue studies in project management. Being a French speaker, he was required to pursue two developmental courses including one in English.

A TT national also undertook to sponsor his expenses in the country while he studied. Saint- Herve began studies at CCLCS on August 22, while undergoing the formalities to obtain a student visa. He provided original transcripts in French of his qualifications which were translated to English and notarised as requested.