Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

2nd & 3rd readings of Immigration (Amendment) Act back on Order Paper

- Premier Andrew A. Fahie accused of hiding behind HoA Standing Orders
According to the Order Paper released today, May 8, 2019, the Opposition Leader, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8), right, will ask the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), left, if his Ministry developed an Immigration policy or some other basis to inform the fast track process to residence and belonger status. Photo: Facebook
According to the Order Paper for the June 3, 2019 House of Assembly (HoA), the Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) will move a motion for the 2nd and 3rd readings of the Immigration and Passport (amendment) Act, 2019. Photo: VINO/File
According to the Order Paper for the June 3, 2019 House of Assembly (HoA), the Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) will move a motion for the 2nd and 3rd readings of the Immigration and Passport (amendment) Act, 2019. Photo: VINO/File
During the Third Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands on, May 17, 2019, the Second and Third Readings for the Bill entitled Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act was pulled from the Order Paper following public backlash on the Government’s ‘Fast Track’ initiative. Photo: VINO/File
During the Third Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands on, May 17, 2019, the Second and Third Readings for the Bill entitled Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act was pulled from the Order Paper following public backlash on the Government’s ‘Fast Track’ initiative. Photo: VINO/File
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI – Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) says the Virgin Islands (VI) opposition will be increasing the pressure on the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government to answer questions relating to the ‘Clear path to regularisation: Residency and Belonger Status Programme’.

Citing the initiative as one with much secrecy, the Opposition Leader says the government will be made to answer all questions in the VI House of Assembly (HoA) as the Ppposition carries out its mandate.

Premier Hiding behind Standing Orders– Hon Penn

“We have a Premier that hides behind the Standing Order and we have a Speaker that reinforces the behaviour,” Hon Penn said at a Thursday, May 23, 2019, opposition meeting in reference to Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and House Speaker Hon Julian Willock.

Further, the Opposition Leader said, “We as an opposition have to bring the people’s agenda to the house, we have to pressure the house to ensure that that we get answers,”

During the Third Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands on, May 17, 2019, the Second and Third Readings for the Bill entitled Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act was pulled from the Order Paper following public backlash on the Government’s ‘Fast Track’ initiative.

“This particular issue is one with much secrecy in terms of the policy position, I’m asking a question in the House on June third in terms of what is the policy position that underpins us moving forward with this legislative change,” Hon Penn said.

According to the Order Paper released today, May 8, 2019, the Opposition Leader will ask the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) if his Ministry developed an Immigration policy or some other basis to inform the fast track process to residence and belonger status.

“If the answer is yes, could he please share with this Honourable House? and c. If the answer is no, could he please advise this Honourable House of the basis for the process and expedited timeliness?’ according to the Order Paper.

2nd & 3rd readings of Immigration and Passport (amendment) Act, 2019 back on Order Paper

Further, Honourable Penn wants the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration to “please tell this Honourable House, if he will convene a committee of the whole House for a thorough discussion for the proposed changes to the Immigration and Passport Act which had its first reading in this Honourable House on the 17th May 2019 before it is brought back for its 2nd and 3rd readings?”

According to the Order Paper, the Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) will move a motion for the 2nd and 3rd readings of the Immigration and Passport (amendment) Act, 2019.

Watch & Stream Live

The HoA will be carried live on CBN Radio 90.9 FM, CBN-Television Channel 101 on Flow TV and you can also follow the coverage live online at www.cbnvirginislands.com.

17 Responses to “2nd & 3rd readings of Immigration (Amendment) Act back on Order Paper”

  • Really? (28/05/2019, 12:59) Like (23) Dislike (46) Reply
    Fahie is proving himself to be someone who cannot be trusted. Why is he continuing with this.
    • @Really (28/05/2019, 14:02) Like (21) Dislike (25) Reply
      Why shouldn’t he? This is our Leader and we have to trust him to make the right decisions for our Territory and our people.
    • @ Really? (28/05/2019, 19:34) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
      Ok funny man that is why we voted you out, we trust Fahie more than you
      • GoonSquad (28/05/2019, 22:18) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        You honestly think Myron have time for you all and this news sight? Please, the man has his hands full with all his business to run. I sure you are one who going to his office begging him for money even though you all took his job from
        Him..bunch of low life you all.
        • wow (29/05/2019, 17:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          The Blogger wrote, "Funny Man". You the One that mentioned "Myron" hmm, is that his name?
  • wize up (28/05/2019, 13:30) Like (36) Dislike (13) Reply
    not being politically motivated: I will rather have in place an administration that gives away Belongers Status to some people after careful reviewing their applications than any administration that gives away millions and millions of our valuable tax money
    • Wise Up Idiot (28/05/2019, 14:15) Like (7) Dislike (22) Reply

      Its obvious you haven't bought your bottle of gramazone yet...i suggest you drink it in large doses as you stand at the top of Great Mountain. Talking a pack of sh*t.

  • Disinterested (28/05/2019, 14:03) Like (25) Dislike (37) Reply
    Fahie is a pretend listener. The Immigration amendment is a serious issue with long term consequences. As such, Time should be taken to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. What is the rush? What is behind the rush that the electorate don’t? Some politicians need to be fed with a long spoon. The next constitutional review needs provisions for recalling elected member(s). VIP needs to enjoy the sunlight now, for cloudy days are coming. Any bets that he will be a one-term Premier?
    • @Disinterested (29/05/2019, 07:42) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      @Disinterested, “VIP needs to enjoy the sunlight now, for cloudy days are coming. Any bets that he will be a one-term Premier?” Lol! You are delusional as usual. Fahie is the real deal, a true leader, not a dealer......etc. Fahie is a realist, not an opportunist.
  • Immigration (Amendment) Act (28/05/2019, 15:17) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    What does the Amendment say? Why can’t the Amendment be made public prior to the HOA meeting?
    • smdh (28/05/2019, 20:57) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      It has been made public. Read the Gazette.
      • @smdh (29/05/2019, 06:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Keep shaking your d*mn head.

        That’s why some young people don’t ask questions and they end up talking and doing froth. Always remember it’s every day one learns something new. What have you learn new today smdh?
    • son of the soil (29/05/2019, 02:52) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
      The voters are wise, mr premier don’t mind the noise we love and support Andrew Fahie and the VIP

      That is the party for we. Say focus as may God bless the BVI
  • @relly (28/05/2019, 16:16) Like (18) Dislike (15) Reply
    Yes of course we trust fahie he will be premier for 20 years

    Now smoke that
  • My girl (28/05/2019, 19:35) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    To be honest the government is doing a great job
  • Diaspora (28/05/2019, 23:15) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BVI is a relatively small locale of 59 square miles spread over 36 islands, 15 of which are inhabited, and with an estimated population of 32,000. The ratio of the 32,000 between local and expat is approximately 40:60. The BVI is facing an existential quandry in regards to immigration. However, immigration is being kick around like a political football. To gain political mileage, residency is turning into an emergency and is being fast tracked with little to no evaluation of the implicit cost, unintended consequences, long-term impact......etc. The Premier has not effectively explained the reason for the rush. The Premier got caught trying to force feed this fast track residency issue and will move heaven and earth to just make his point. To appease the electorate, they were thrown a bone, ie, supposed listening to voters, holding a few meaning less meetings(consultation should have occurred b4 item was brought to HOA)......etc. Why was the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd readings schedule for 1 sitting of the HOA? Politicians like to demonstrate chameleon behaviour; is this the case here? What is the way forward? Well, the Premier should defer this initiative and appoint an ad hoc committee to review immigration. If people are not happy with the current proposal and the process, they need to agitate peacefully to make their voices heard. Agitation can bring about change. For example, the BVI legislature was suspended in 1902. However, it was the Great March of 1949 led by Dolph Faulkner and others that resulted in it being reactivated in 1950. There is strength in numbers and unity can make things happened.
  • legal team (29/05/2019, 10:24) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wait a minute:

    The Premier is doing something which is lawful under section 16 of the Immigration and Passport Ordinance chapter 130 of the laws of the Virgin Islands.

    Every case and application will be treated on its own merit based on qualification.

    what is all this hoopla, about qualified expats applying for belonger status and the Premier is going to speed up the process? Is it the first time that qualified expats will be granted belonger status in the bvi? NO!

    It is lawful for expats to apply and it is lawful for cabinet to decide on each application, and approve or disapprove the applications which has to go to the Governor,and the Governor can also disapprove,

    Lets move on to the next case, your worship and lordship, because Andrew fahie acted lawfully when he brought this amendment to the HOA.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.