Minister of Labour and Immigration Derrick Burgess welcomed a new website to publicise hunts for illegal immigrants — and warned of tougher punishments on the cards.

The news came as pictures of two Jamaican illegal immigrants were released by Crime Stoppers, along with details of a reward for information leading to their arrest. As The Royal Gazette previously reported, Lincoln Alphonso Phinn, 29, and Michael Douglas Massop, 34, are known to have worked in the construction industry in the past. Information about the hunt for them was released amid a publicity blitz heralding the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimestoppers.bm. The site, which will go live in January, will carry regular updates on illegal immigrants as well as appeals for help to trace stolen property.

Crime Stoppers will reward ‘tipsters’ up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest of individuals that law enforcement agencies are seeking.

Revealing that Phinn and Massop are believed to have been on the Island for “many months” without permission, Mr. Burgess said that when they are found they will be deported immediately, and their names placed on Bermuda’s Stop List.

“The Compliance Section of the Department of Immigration is vigilant in its efforts to locate such individuals and welcomes the assistance provided in this regard by members of the public and by organisations like Crime Stoppers Bermuda,” he said.

“Employers are reminded that they risk punishment if they are caught employing people without work permits or if they allow employees to engage in work that is outside the parameters of their permits. In addition to the penalties available in law, persons who employ individuals who are in Bermuda illegally risk being denied the right to hold future work permits or of having existing work permits revoked. Regrettably, Bermudians on occasion are involved in protecting the whereabouts of persons who are here illegally. I wish to state once again that the Government is considering the introduction of legislation that will make immigration breaches of this kind a criminal offence. Offenders would face harsher punishments if breaches were criminalised.”

Anyone that can help with information about Phinn and Massop should call the toll-free confidential hotline number at 1-800-623-8477.