Illegal immigrant Chandrase Gopinath was released yesterday from jail into the care of a local couple.

But his fate still hangs in the balance as the Swiss Federal Office for Refugees decides whether the Sri Lankan teen still has a right to live in Switzerland with his parents.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis released Gopinath from the Co-Ed Facility -- -- into the care of Dr. Brian Horsfield and Ms Francis Eddy until a final determination of his status has been made.

Mr. Francis released Gopinath on $1,000 bail on condition that he hand over all money he entered Bermuda with and report to the Immigration Inspectorate on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

On March 25 Gopinath, speaking through a German interpreter, pleaded guilty to using three forged documents to enter Bermuda.

Gopinath arrived in Bermuda on March 17 and tried to leave two days later.

He told Mr. Francis that if he were deported to Sri Lanka: "As soon as I left the airport I would be killed.'' Gopinath's parents have asylum in Switzerland but reports said that by leaving he may have lost his refugee status. Sentencing was delayed until May 6 while efforts were made to establish his identity and status with Sri Lankan and Swiss authorities.

IMMIGRATION IMM