SA woman held in US jail

2006-09-04 23:30

Charles Smith

Washington - A South African woman has been detained for three weeks without trial in a jail in New Mexico because her entry permit apparently expired.

Jessica Pansegrouw went to explore America, but had to spend her 41st birthday locked up with about 1 000 suspected illegal immigrants in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Pansegrouw, who stayed with friends in Boston, saw her holiday turn into a nightmare when, in the middle of last month, she was arrested at a roadblock near Maine.

Her 1-94 entry permit had apparently expired, although her visa for America was valid for two years.

Battled for court date

She was taken overnight by bus, thousands of kilometres away from Boston to the jail in Albuquerque because it apparently was the only centre that had room.

Since then, she has not been able to get a date for a bail appearance.

By law, she should have appeared in court within 10 days.

It seems, however, she might be able to apply for bail on Tuesday in the immigration court in El Paso, about 500km away.

Pansegrouw's friend, Deana Bomhof, said on Monday that the stamp in Pansegrouw's passport was for March 2008. Her visa was in order.

"If you can't rely on a stamp, what can you rely on? I just pray that we'll be able to get Jessica out."

Pansegrouw's brother, Kosie, told Media 24 on Monday that he had spoken to an attorney in America, who had said he generally completed such cases within a day.

He said everyone was puzzled why she had been made to wait three weeks for a trial date.

Kosie, who has been able to speak to his sister, said her mental state is good.

The inmates had to do work such as scrubbing toilets and washing clothes.

Pansegrouw gets three meals a day and can order extra food if she has money. There is a radio and television.

US strict on dates

The news about Pansegrouw came after a group of South Africans working on passenger ships in the Caribbean were detained and questioned for four hours about connections with the Middle East.

South Africans in the United States warn acquaintances at home to take care that they comply strictly with the dates on their 1-94 entry permits if they visit America.

The permit must be renewed at least every six months if visitors remain longer in the country.

- Beeld