Voluntary exit for non-citizen fearing deportation

It is reported that earlier this month, foreign national Frechie Cardenas Jose Gregorio voluntarily requested to leave Vanuatu, fearing deportation by immigration officials.

Vanuatu's Principal Immigration Officer, Jeffery Markson, stated in an interview with the Vanuatu Daily Post that the Immigration Department had no choice but to deport Gregorio, as he was an illegal immigrant with pending criminal cases in Australia. In similar situations, immigration authorities usually prioritize the repatriation of illegal overstayers, especially those with serious legal issues in other countries, to comply with immigration laws.

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Andrew Napuat, signed the order to deport Mr. Gregorio from Vanuatu, acting under the authority vested in him by Section 53(1)(ab) of the Immigration Act No. 17 of 2010. The order was issued based on the consideration that the individual was a prohibited immigrant. Signed on February 3rd and published in the Official Gazette on February 12th, the order formally designated Mr. Gregorio as a prohibited immigrant, meaning he was not permitted to remain in the country according to immigration law.

However, Director Markson explained that Mr. Gregorio chose to leave voluntarily after immigration officials informed him of the deportation order. "He was concerned that if he did not leave voluntarily, he might face deportation, which would carry additional legal or personal consequences," said Director Markson.

Director Markson added, "In this situation, voluntary departure allows individuals to leave while avoiding the more severe consequences of a formal deportation. It also helps avoid future entry restrictions, as deportation sometimes leads to a ban on returning to the country for a specific period."