Two Americans Deported from Bali after Violating Immigration Law

DENPASAR, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia’s Immigration Office in Bali has decided to deport two US citizens Kristen Antoinette Gray and her partner Saundra Michelle Alexander for violating the Immigration Law.

The decision was made after the two foreigners were examined by the immigration officers from 10.00 am to 18.00 pm local time on Tuesday, January 19.

“The Immigration office has deported or imposed administrative sanctions on the US citizens Kristen Gray and [her partner],” said the head of Bali’s justice and legal office Jamaruli Manihuruk during a press conference held at the Immigration Office in Denpasar.

Also read: Cyber Crime Attempts in Indonesia Surge during Coronavirus Pandemic

Gray’s partner has also been deported as she was also involved in violating the immigration law. “They’re both involved in the activities [that violated the immigration law],” Jamaruli said.

The two will be deported immediately while waiting for the flight back home. Currently, they are being held in the Immigration Detention Room in the Immigration Office in Denpasar.

Jamaruli said they were deported for spreading information that was disturbing the public, such as Bali is a safe place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) travelers. Gray also took to Twitter to inform that it’s easy to enter Indonesian territory during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Besides, the two foreigners were allegedly carrying out business activities by selling e-book and providing online consultation on Bali tourism.

They have allegedly violated Law No. 6/2011 on Immigration.

Also read: Bali Immigration Officials Deport Yogi For Violating Health Protocols

Health protocols violationsin Bali

Meanwhile, Bali has also implemented stricter rules against foreigners who failed to follow the Covid-19 health protocols.

“We have received information on foreigners who violated the health protocols. If they do it again later, then administrative sanctions will be imposed on them,” the Law and Human Rights Ministry’s Immigration Division head in Bali, Eko Budianto, told Kompas.com on Monday, January 18.

Eko further added that in the operation held by the Covid-19 Task Force on Health Protocol Enforcement in Bali, many foreign nationals were caught in raids for violating the health protocols.

Also read: Foreigner Takes to Twitter to Invite International Tourists to Bali amid Pandemic 

“We support the government’s policy in implementing the health protocols in Bali,” he said.
During the recent operation, three locals and 71 foreigners, mostly Russians, have violated the health protocols.

Many of them were not wearing masks while driving motorbikes or walking in public places.

(Writer: Imam Rosidin | Editor: David Oliver Purba, Reza Kurnia Darmawan, Robertus Belarminus)

Sources: https://regional.kompas.com/read/2021/01/19/19361171/kristen-gray-akhirnya-dideportasi-setelah-viral-karena-twitnya-soal-bali?page=all#page2.

https://regional.kompas.com/read/2021/01/19/15184711/awas-wna-yang-melanggar-protokol-kesehatan-bisa-dideportasi.