Biographies
Chief Immigration Officer
Franz Manderson has served in the Immigration Department for over 20 years and has held the position of Chief Immigration Officer for over 3 years.
Mr. Manderson has responsibility for all Immigration matters and the formulation of related policies and strategies.
In 1995, he was awarded the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour for “Services Rendered in the Management of the Cuban Refugee Crisis.
Mr. Manderson is also an Attorney-at-Law, having attained his LL.B.(Hons) from Liverpool University and the Certificate in Cayman Law (with Commendation) from the Queens University Belfast.
Deputy Chief Immigration Officer (Administration)
Kerry Nixon has served in the Immigration Department for over 30 years and has held the post of Deputy Chief Immigration Officer since 1996.
Mrs. Nixon is responsible for administrative matters within the Immigration Department, which encompasses Customer Service, The Call Centre, the Public Counter, the Temporary Work Permit Section and the Filing Section.
In 1995, his Excellency the Governor appointed her a Justice of the Peace
Deputy Chief Immigration Officer (Enforcement and Intelligence)
Dennis Brady has been employed with the Immigration Department for over three years. He was previously employed by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service for 20 years where he attained the rank of Chief Inspector.
He has direct responsibility for the Enforcement and Intelligence Unit and is required to maintain and develop sustainable polices for arrest procedures, use of force, systems for presenting offenders to court, investigative operations, removals, deportation and asylum matters.
In 1996 he successfully completed a degree in English law, earning himself an LLB (HONS) degree. In 2001 after successfully completing the Bar Course, he was called to the Bar at Lincolns Inn, in London England.
Deputy Chief Immigration Officer (Border Control)
Bruce D. Smith recently joined the Immigration Department after spending 20 years with HM Customs where the attained the rank of Assistant Collector.
He has direct responsibility for all Border Control matters including Airport, Seaports operations and visas. He also has oversight of the Department operations in the Sister Islands.
He received extensive training in Border Security having attended and successfully completed courses in the US, Canada and the Caribbean.
Director of Policy & Strategic Management
Christopher Eakin has worked at the Department of Immigration since 2000 and has held the position of Director of Policy & Strategic Management since 2006.
In his present capacity as Director of Policy & Strategic Management Christopher works on all aspects of policy formulation both internally and with the Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs and Cabinet. He also oversees the Department’s Appeals Section and is a member of the Senior Management Team.
Mr. Eakin is a graduate of the Cayman Islands Law School (University of Liverpool Honours Degree in Law).
Director of Finance
Christine Mitchell has worked with the Immigration Department for over 15 years.
As the Director of Finance she is required to organize and direct the financial affairs of the Immigration Department and to ensure that all accounting and administrative matters are processed in accordance with the various laws and established guidelines.
She is the holder of an Associate of Science in Accounting from the University College of the Cayman Islands and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting) from the University of Central Florida.
Boards Administrator
Sherryl Miller has served as the Immigration Boards Administrator since December of 2005. Prior to being appointed to this post, Mrs. Miller worked in both the public and private sectors.
As Immigration Boards Administrator, Mrs. Miller has managerial oversight of the Secretariats that facilitate the four Immigration Boards - Work Permit Board, Business Staffing Plan Board, Caymanian Status & Permanent Residency Board and the Trade & Business Licensing Board.
She holds a degree in Paralegal Studies from Madison University and has many years experience in this capacity.
Senior Assistant Chief Immigration Officer (Temporary Work Permits)
Mrs. Dolcy Powery has served in the Immigration Department for over 30 years and has worked in numerous sections of the Department including the Public Counter and Border Control.
Mrs. Powery is responsible for the decision making process on all Temporary Work Permits and Business Visitors Permits. Additionally, she has management oversight of six staff.
Human Resources Manager
Mrs. Martha Ebanks-Bush joined the Department in June 2007 bringing a wealth of experience in Human Resources Management and Training.
Together with an Assistant Manager, they handle all HR related duties and issues. Additionally, Martha’s section co-ordinates the presentation of technical training for Immigration Officers as well as Immigration Law related training for all staff. Mrs. Bush will deliver other training such as Management Development, Team Building and Customer Service.
Assistant Chief Immigration Officer (Enforcement)
Ms Jeannie Lewis has been employed by the Immigration Department since June of 1989. She currently has management responsibility for the day-to-day activities of the Enforcement Section. The Enforcement Section is responsible for ensuring the public’s compliance with Immigration Legislation.
Ms. Lewis also has oversight of asylum matters and the Immigration Detention Center.
Assistant Chief Immigration Officer (Visas)
Garfield Wong has been employed with the Immigration Department for over 24 years and has worked in various sections of the Department such as Border Control and Enforcement.
He currently has management responsibility for the processing of applications for both visitors and student visas.
In 1995, he was awarded the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour for “Services Rendered in the Management of the Cuban Refugee Crisis.
Assistant Chief Immigration Officer (Border Control)
Mrs. Dawn Hydes has been employed with the Immigration Department for over 20 years.
She currently has day-to-day management responsibility for Border Control. She provides management support to 45 immigration officers who are charged with border control duties at both the Airport and Seaport.
Assistant Chief Immigration Officer (Persons of Independent Means)
Mrs. Laura Mclaughlin has been employed with the Immigration Department for over 20 years. She has worked in many sections of the Department including Border Control and Enforcement.
She is responsible for the processing of applications for "Persons of Independent Means". These applications are for persons wishing to reside in the islands without the need to work.
Mrs. Mclaughlin also assists with the decision making process on Temporary Work Permits.
Appeals Coordinator
Petula Twinn recently joined the Immigration Department as Appeals Coordinator.
She is responsible for the timely proceeding of appeal statements, which emanate from decisions of the four Immigration Boards - Work Permit Board, Business Staffing Plan Board, Caymanian Status & Permanent Residency Board and the Trade & Business Licensing Board.
Ms Twinn is also an Attorney-at-Law, having attained her LL.B.(Hons) from Liverpool University . She was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2002 and admitted to the Cayman Bar in 2004. Ms. Twinn is also a Florida Supreme Court certified Civil and Family Court mediator.
Last Updated: 2008-01-07
