Government has begun deporting persons living illegally in Bermuda – part of a "zero tolerance" approach aimed to rid the Island of foreigners working in contravention of the law.

A Jamaican national was the first to go. According to Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing David Burch, the man had lived here for ten years before he was caught last weekend and escorted back to the Caribbean island by Immigration officials on Monday.

And the Minister warned that a second deportation could be forthcoming. Stating that Government also holds information on a man who has lived here illegally for 20 years, he warned the unnamed individual to leave, before he was discovered and sent packing.

"I want to remind both Bermudians and illegal immigrants that there is zero tolerance for this type of behaviour and persons found engaging in such will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Sen. Burch said at a press conference yesterday. "I should add that most visitors who overstay and engage in working illegally are usually deported and placed on the Bermuda Stop List and not allowed to enter Bermuda again. I cannot stress too strongly that these are serious offences which we shall not ignore."

The move follows a September warning by Sen. Burch that "visitors who had overstayed their permission and in many instances were working illegally," had until October 31 to leave the Island of their own accord.

"During (that period) we noticed an increased number of persons voluntarily leaving Bermuda, most notably on British Airways, travelling through the United Kingdom. The Department of Immigration is currently compiling the departure information with intelligence received as well as with landing cards, to accurately ascertain the numbers of those who have left.

"Unfortunately this is a manual process that may take some time, but the new electronic Border Management System at the airport is greatly assisting in this regard.

"Initial indications are that both Jamaican and Portuguese nationals have taken advantage of the amnesty – including the first person featured on (a Government) 'Wanted Poster'."

The weekend arrest and deportation of the Jamaican national is further evidence of the initiative's success, the Minister added.

"Through the cooperation of the US Department of Homeland Security, permission was granted to transit the US to Jamaica. The honourary Jamaican Consul, Mr. Winston Laylor was most helpful in providing emergency travel documents. I wish to publicly thank both for their cooperation."

The Minister said efforts to prosecute Bermudians who provided shelter and assistance to the man "will be aggressively pursued" as will efforts to arrest a second illegal immigrant known to Government.

"Our records also indicate that we have an individual who has resided in Bermuda illegally for 20 years. Bermudians probably have seen him for the past twenty years and believe he is here legally. Well he is not and I invite him to leave before we find him," he said.

While rewards have been offered to those who are successful in aiding in the locating and capturing of these illegal aliens, most have declined the reward saying they feel it is their duty to protect their Island, the Minister continued.

"I cannot tell you how gratifying this is as Bermudians acknowledge the fact that they must play their part in protecting Bermuda for their children...This is not a witch hunt – apart from the fact that overstaying is against the law – I am reminded daily about the need to protect Bermudian jobs. We in this Ministry have, and accept this responsibility and will remain vigilant in our efforts to protect our Island home."

Anyone with information on illegal immigrants or those working without permission or outside of their job category is asked to call the Immigration hotline – 296-5202.