Haitian national who repeatedly attempted to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands illegally has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after violating a deportation order and attempting unlawful entry.
Richardson Cherefaere was sentenced by the Magistrates Court on June 3, following charges of Attempted Unlawful Entry and Returning to the Islands Contrary to a Deportation Order, according to the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force.
Cherefaere has a history of immigration violations dating back to 2019, when he first entered the country illegally. He was most recently convicted and deported in January 2025, but attempted to re-enter the country again despite the deportation order.
The Border Force said his “continued disregard for immigration laws and deportation directives” resulted in the substantially longer custodial sentence.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Immigration and Border Services Jamell Robinson said the sentence sends a clear message about enforcement.
“This significant sentence sends an unequivocal message: the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force will relentlessly pursue and prosecute anyone who deliberately defies our immigration laws and ignores deportation orders,” Robinson stated. “We are unwavering in our commitment to secure our borders and uphold the rule of law with the full force it demands, ensuring justice is served every time.”
Authorities reminded the public that helping migrants enter the country illegally is a serious crime punishable by fines up to $20,000 and imprisonment for up to four years under the Immigration Ordinance.
