surfaced last week after an Australian was refused entry.

American Ms Shirley Lemmon and close friend Tom Berryman arrived at the airport on September 1, expecting a relaxing one-week holiday. But within minutes, Mr. Berryman was bundled onto the next flight to New York -- allegedly without a clear explanation from Immigration officials.

Ms Lemmon told The Royal Gazette that the apparent reason for her friend's forced departure was his intent to apply for a US student visa at the Consulate General in Devonshire during their holiday -- and his honesty for saying so.

Mr. Berryman, who is planning to re-enter college this month in the United States, was told by American authorities that he would have to change his US holiday visa at a consulate outside the country. When Ms Lemmon suggested the Bermuda vacation, he decided to take care of the permit at the same time.

The pair complained that: Despite making inquiries at the Bermuda Tourism Office in New York and with USAir, they were never told that entering the Island under such circumstances was illegal.

They were not given a clear explanation at the airport for the expulsion other than a brusque "You're visa-shopping'' from one of the Immigration officers.

Immigration officers' behaviour was "aggressive and hostile''. Ms Lemmon also contended that they were not allowed access to a telephone, and were given only a few minutes to say goodbye before Mr. Berryman was escorted back onto the plane.

"It's one thing to have your vacation ruined, but when you don't even know exactly why, that's another,'' said the professional singer/actress.

Recalling how excited they both were about coming to Bermuda, she maintained that the visa was incidental -- their primary objective was to have an enjoyable holiday.

Ms Lemmon was especially looking forward to the trip since she had just recovered from a cycling accident and had not had a "real'' vacation in four years.

"It's not like we were just coming here for 24 hours to get a visa stamped,'' she complained.

Ms Barbara Johnson of the US Consulate General confirmed that any person who was physically on the Island could come to the Consulate to have their application entertained. She stressed, however, that it was up to Bermuda Immigration to decide who could enter the Island.

In a telephone interview from his New York residence, Mr. Berryman added his own thoughts on the incident, insisting that he had no idea he was breaking any law. Like his friend, he was "very shocked'' by the behaviour of Immigration staff.

"I've done a lot of travelling, and I have never been treated like that,'' he said. "It was very humiliating to be turned around in that manner with no calm, rational explanation. They were very inhospitable, and I was treated very badly.'' When contacted by The Royal Gazette , Chief Immigration Officer Mr. Neville Smith said that the officers had acted correctly by turning Mr. Berryman back.

Noting that current law prohibits a person from coming to Bermuda to gain entry to the United States, Mr. Smith confirmed that it was the apparent purpose of the Australian's visit which prevented him from landing.

He added that under the circumstances, there were no other documents that could have been presented which would have changed the situation.

Expressing surprise at the allegation of rude and aggressive behaviour from his officers, Mr. Smith offered to meet with Ms Lemmon before her departure in order to explain immigration procedures and to get her side of the story.

Ms Lemmon, who left the Island four days early, did meet with Mr. Smith, and according to the Immigration chief was "receptive'' to his explanation of the situation, and her questions answered.

"I expressed regret that we couldn't allow her friend into the Island,'' said Mr. Smith. "And I assured her that this incident does not mean that Mr.

Berryman can never enter the Island again. They are welcome to return, as long as their documents are in order.'' Ms. Shirley Lemmon.