Travellers at a security checkpoint in Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, (sourced photo)
SAUL LOEB/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE — GETTY IMAGES
Published: Saturday 27th May, 2017
By: T. J. Chapman
WASHINGTON — A report released by the Department of Homeland Security on Monday, (22 May) revealed that an estimated 629,000 visitors to the United States have remained in the country after overstaying their visas. St. Kitts and Nevis as well as other regional and international countries are featured in the report.
The 629, 000 visitors account for just over 1 percent of all travellers. They consists of students, workers and tourists.
The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis accounted for just over 2.31 percent (280) of all Kittitians and Nevisians who remained in the United States at the end of last year. Expected departures totalled 12, 115.
Jamaica accounted for 9,621 overstays at a rate 3.41%. Antigua and Barbuda totalled 244 overstays, (1.58%). Barbados had 1695 overstays, (2.85%) while Dominica accounted for 291 overstays at a rate of 4.02%.
The estimated 629, 000 figure represents a tiny portion of the estimated 50 million visitors to the United States, Homeland Security officials say the failure of some people to leave when their visas lapse presents a national security risk.
According to a New York Times article, two of the Sept. 11 hijackers, Satam al-Suqami and Nawaq Alhazmi, had overstayed their visas.
The report is the second issued in the last 20 years.
According to Ron Nixon, the agency responsible for investigating in country overstays, had to piece information together from dozens of systems and databases, some of which are not integrated and does not share information electronically.
The new report comes as the Trump administration accelerates its efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.
New York Times: Foreigners Overstaying Visas
Entry and Exit Overstay Report
