A JAMAICAN father's wish to see his dying son, who is on a respirator in a New York City hospital, is unlikely to come true because of his criminal record.
The man, Garland Douglas, was deported from the United States six months ago after serving four years in a New Jersey prison for money laundering.
His son, Teron Francis, was declared brain dead last Thursday after being admitted to hospital with what seemed to be a bad headache and toothache. Teron, who was born in the U.S., has never visited Jamaica. He was scheduled to come here in July to see his father who, reportedly, lives in Mandeville, Manchester.
VISIT WILL NOT MATERIALISE
That visit will not materialise due to the tragic turn of events. Mr. Douglas was hoping that U.S. immigration authorities would soften their stance which bars deportees from re-entering that country and allow him to travel to New York City to see his son.
"I told them (U.S. Consulate) of the the situation with my son but they told me once you've been deported it wouldn't make sense to try to get in again," Mr. Douglas told the New York Post newspaper.
Attempts by The Gleaner to get a response from the U.S. State Department in Washington DC yesterday were unsuccessful.
