United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot says the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown was not aware of the information that prompted a review of High Court Judge Gino Persaud’s visa.
Theriot made the disclosure while speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the 27th Americas Regional Conference, amid questions surrounding the reported review of Justice Persaud’s US visa.
Asked generally about visa reviews and revocations, the Ambassador explained that the process is handled by authorities in Washington.
“I don’t have that information because those reviews are done back in Washington, and we are not told until a decision is made,” Theriot said.
“So we don’t find out here in Guyana until a visa has been revoked, and then we have to convey that information to the person.”
Theriot was then asked what it means when a visa is placed “under review.”
She explained that the designation means US authorities have received information which causes them to reconsider whether an individual remains eligible for a visa.
When asked whether the US Embassy in Georgetown could play a role by submitting such information, Theriot acknowledged that this can happen in some cases.
“On occasion, we will submit that information, but in the case that I think you’re talking about, we were not aware,” she said.
Earlier reports stated that Justice Persaud was prevented from boarding a Miami-bound American Airlines flight on September 19 while travelling to Jamaica for a judicial conference. Airline representatives reportedly told him his US visa was “under review” and advised him to contact the US Embassy in Georgetown.
Persaud was reportedly among Guyanese judges and magistrates travelling to Kingston for the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association Annual Conference. His itinerary required him to transit through Miami.
The US Embassy had initially declined to comment on the individual case, citing the confidentiality of visa information. An Embassy spokesperson said the mission had seen reports concerning Justice Persaud but could not discuss his individual visa circumstances.
The issue has also attracted political attention after businessman Nazar Mohamed raised questions about whether the development could be linked to previous court rulings by Justice Persaud in matters involving members of the Mohamed family.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, has meanwhile rejected suggestions that the Guyana Government had any involvement in the US action.
Speaking on his weekly Issues in the News programme, Nandlall said neither President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo nor himself has authority over US visa decisions.
