Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox has come out in support of Immigration officials who threw a Canadian visitor out of the Country for not having the correct travel documentation.

Ms. Cox said she was happy that staff had acted properly during the incident which saw visitor Kevin Chalker and his fiance Agnes MacDonald put straight back on a plane to Halifax shortly after arriving at the Bermuda International Airport.

Mr. Chalker complained that Air Canada was told by Bermuda Immigration that a faxed copy of his birth certificate would suffice to gain entry.

And he said he was unhappy at the "heavy-handed approach'' by Immigration Officer Owen Lewis, who he said had a "complete lack of manners'' that was "nothing short of inhuman''.

But the Minister fired back, saying she fully supported the actions of the Immigration officers at the airport, adding that there were ongoing problems with travellers who arrived without the correct documentation.

"Mr. Owen Lewis, in particular, is noted for his professional demeanour in dealing with our clients,'' she said in a statement.

"Nothing in the official reports to me about the incident indicate that either of the officers handled the situation in an incorrect or inappropriate manner.'' Ms. Cox said her Department had reminded airlines and other agencies that the only acceptable documents for entry were passports and birth certificates and warned them that people would not be allowed to "land'' without the proper documentation.

"What allegedly occurred earlier this month could have been avoided if the parties had followed advice.

"If our advice is ignored, we have no choice but to apply our policies and use our discretion to refuse entry. Our approach is no different from other jurisdictions.

"When Bermudians travel, they expect to be turned away if they do not have the proper travel documents. We expect the same consideration from people travelling to Bermuda.'' A letter has been sent to Mr. Chalker, who made the complaint after arriving on April 1. He said he was "treated like a criminal'' and that it appeared other Customs officials found Mr. Owen's behaviour lacking, who dealt with the couple in full view of other passengers.

He finally made it to the Island three days later, after getting a new copy of his birth certificate.

Paula Cox