KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) — A magistrate has ordered the deportation of two Trinidad and Tobago nationals after informing them that “we don’t have the wet foot – dry foot policy” that the United States recently abolished with regards to Cubans entering that North American country.

“You can’t just walk in and walk out. It’s not Tobago,” said Magistrate Bertie Pompey, who also imposed an EC$800 (US$296) fine to be paid forthwith or, in default, six months in prison on Ishmael Mohammed and Keno McPhee.

Officers from the tactical units of the local police force were posted inside and outside the building with high-powered rifles and side arms, as the Court heard Tuesday that the two Trinidadians had entered the island illegally between December 14, 2016 and January 14, this year.

They were also charged with entering the state by boat during the same period and disembarked without the consent of an immigration officer, contrary to the Immigration (Restriction) Act.

The men pleaded guilty to the offences and apologised to the Court for their actions. They promised not to repeat the offence and also pleaded for leniency.

Mohammed told the Court that he was “joyriding” when he came to St Vincent and the Grenadines while McPhee said he was “having innocent fun”.

But as he handed down his ruling Magistrate Pompey said that he recognised that Trinidad and Tobago is a part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) of which St Vincent and the Grenadines is also a member. CARICOM allows for the free movement of goods, skills, services and labour under its CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

The magistrate told the two Trinidadians that St Vincent and the Grenadines is a different country from Trinidad and Tobago, adding that entering the country illegally is a crime against its national security.

“You can’t just walk in and out as you please. As I told somebody yesterday, we don’t have the wet foot – dry foot policy here as the Americans did. I think it was recently abolished.”