One day after the arrest she was handed over to the immigration department for instant deportation. Her family was ordered to immediately provide a one way flight ticket to Guyana.
An order they felt could not be ignored without serious repercussions. As a consequence the ticket was handed over by the family and the young lady was scheduled to be put on the Saturday, August 14 flight back to Guyana. The fact that her young daughter, who grew up on the island, her husband, her mother and aunt had to stay behind (for they are all legal residents of St. Maarten), was of no issue to the local authorities.
The family contacted local Attorney Remko M. Stomp, who did not waste time filing an immediate injunction at the local court of instance. During the hearing the attorney representing the Governor pointed out that it was the full responsibility of the young lady to present the correct documents. By presenting a false passport she deserved nothing better than instant deportation. Setting her free would create a very bad precedent the attorney claimed who went to great lengths to explain his point of view. Besides she was only holding a Brooks Tower permit, she was illegally residing on the island for many years the attorney stated.
Stomp on the other hand commenced his pleadings explaining that the young lady had her passport recently renewed and was not aware of the fact that it was no good. The lady had put her trust in someone who was going to take care for the renewal of her passport. This person turned out to be a criminal of which my client has become of victim, Stomp stated. My client does not need a false document for she can proof her Guyanese identity easily with her valid birth certificate and had no problem getting original documents. Stomp presented a copy of the young lady's old passport to the judge which was perfectly original, Stomp explained.
Stomp told the judge that his client got so desperate in the notorious holding cells at the local police station that she begged the immigration officers to put her on the plane back to Guyana. The Governor's lawyer swiftly reacted to Stomp's statement stating that there actually was no case, for the lady wanted to leave the island completely voluntarily! This reaction created widespread laughter in the courtroom with Stomp complimenting his colleague for his sense of humor. The case then regained its seriousness with the governor's lawyer stating that setting the young mother free would leave the authorities with the hands in the air with similar cases in the future.
Stomp reacted stating that this was nonsense for the authorities could have indicted her or could have given her a fine. In addition the Governor could have revoked her resident permit instantly. Nothing of the likes had been done Stomp said. Stomp concluded that based on the file his client's resident permit was still valid and that the Governor therefore had detained a person that was legally residing on the island, this was a clear breach of jurisprudence and the legal guidelines for Lieutenant Governors in the Netherlands Antilles, Stomp explained.
Stomp demanded the instant release of his client. The judge ruled accordingly.
