Government's decision to place a black Brazilian woman on the Stop List because she stayed here nine days longer than allowed could end up in court.

And questions will likely be raised in the woman's homeland, as the Brazilian Consul has been notified of her experience and her "tragic" story is to be printed in a popular magazine in the South American country.

The woman's cause is also being championed locally. A "dear friend", Khalid Wasi (pictured), plans to launch a petition against the ruling banning her from visiting the island.

That proposed move follows a complaint Mr. Wasi lodged with the Human Rights Commission against Immigration Minister David Burch three weeks ago.

According to Mr. Wasi, Senator Burch knew the woman to be a "dear friend" of his. And it is his belief that the harsh sentence was actually a veiled attack on him for the political stance he took opposing the governing Progressive Labour Party in the lead-in to the 2007 General Election.

The political activist said he was at a book club meeting with the woman in Brazil, when her experience on the island became the subject of discussion.

"She ended up speaking about her experiences and someone in the audience found her story so interesting, so atrocious and so tragic, it's going to be published in a magazine in Brazil," he said.

The woman was placed on the Stop List because she remained on the island while awaiting the outcome of her appeal to a Cabinet committee to extend her stay. The woman had lived here for 18 years, and in 2007 requests to have her work permit renewed were turned down. She applied to the committee for an extension in the hope of staying until her 16-year-old daughter gave birth. She received a mailed response from Cabinet nine days after the January 9 departure date she was initially handed by the Immigration Department.

She was placed on the Stop List and banned from Bermuda as a result. In addition, she risks being judged a criminal if travelling to other jurisdictions because of that, Mr. Wasi feels.

He added that those in attendance at the meeting in Brazil found the story incredible and encouraged the pair to push for justice.

"I'm now putting together a petition here, and speaking with the Brazilian Consul, letting him know what transpired," Mr. Wasi continued. "I'm also considering (soliciting) any support for creating a fund to fight this thing in court."