Gov’t comes to Chang’s defence

The Ministry of National Security in insisting that no protocols were violated in the handling of an incident at the Donald Sangster International Airport on Friday, June 23.

Portfolio minister Dr Horace Chang facilitated the release of a man who was taken into custody at the Barnett Street police lock-up in St James shortly after he arrived in the island from Dallas, Texas, in the United States of America.

The man was denied entry when he arrived at the airport due to a torn passport page. It is alleged that having been denied entry, the man began behaving "boisterously" and rained blows on the plexiglass separating him and the immigration officer who had conducted the interview.

He was subsequently taken to the Barnett Street Police Station and placed in the lock-up. However, The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), in a statement yesterday, said the man was never charged with any offence. It said Chang was approached about assisting the man who came to the island to attend his grandmother's funeral.

"The minister, having not received any information about any negative behaviour by the traveller, exercised his legally empowered discretion and allowed him landing on humanitarian grounds," the OPM said.

Andrew Wynter, chief executive officer of PICA, confirmed that the minister was not aware of any adverse behaviour exhibited by the individual when the agency requested an exemption on humanitarian grounds.

Wynter stated, "based on the situation and circumstances, consideration can be given to facilitate an individual's entry into the island despite their conduct".

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of National Security, Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe, who is Jamaica's chief immigration officer, said Chang acted within the law when he facilitated the release of the man.

"The minister exercised his discretion upon the request of the Passport and Immigration Services. At the time the minister was engaged, he was not informed of any adverse behaviour by the traveller."