Thomas explained that Torres had sold her house in Cuba and come to Jamaica because she was told that arrangements could be made for a green card to be given to her to allow her to join her relatives in the United States. He said that subsequently, she was given the green card and told she would need to go to the Dominican Republic en route to the US, and that arrangements had already been made to that effect.

However, the lawyer added that when Torres made checks at the immigration office, no such arrangements had been made.

"With her level of education, alarm bells should have been ringing and she should not have taken this chance," Thomas argued. "She only left Cuba to make a better life for herself and to be with her family in the US."

Harris subsequently extended Torres' sentencing period until January 24 to allow her to regularise her status in Jamaica.

On September 27, Torres and her 20-year-old son, Humbert Torres, arrived in Jamaica from Cuba, and the following day, she attempted to board a flight to the United States at the Sangster International Airport. However, checks revealed that her green card was fraudulent, and she was arrested and charged.

Torres' son was also arrested for aiding and abetting following subsequent investigations, but was later cleared of all charges by the court.