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Commentator heightens call for deportation of expats involved in human smuggling

- Claude O. Skelton-Cline wants government to stand firm & send a strong message to expat lawbreakers
Radio moderator, Claude O. Skelton-Cline has reiterated calls for the deportation of expatriates involved in human smuggling activities linked to an August spike in COVID-19 cases in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source
Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline on he radio show had called for not only the deportation but the revocation of status and deportation for Belongers if found to be involved in the illegal activity. Photo: Facebook/File
Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline on he radio show had called for not only the deportation but the revocation of status and deportation for Belongers if found to be involved in the illegal activity. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Radio moderator, Claude O. Skelton-Cline has reiterated calls for the deportation of expatriates involved in human smuggling activities linked to an August spike in COVID-19 cases in the Virgin Islands.

Speaking on the Thursday, October 15, 2020, edition of his show, Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780AM and live-streamed on Facebook, Mr Skelton-Cline said, “I have not heard nor seen about any deportation of the persons who are here on work permits and who breached our laws… that sent us into a tailspin, and we cannot let that sit idly,” he said.

Revoke Belongership Status - Skelton-Cline 

Skelton-Cline had previously called for not only the deportation but the revocation of status and deportation of Belongers if found to be involved in the illegal activity.

"When these people, after they recover from this COVID, the next step is to ensure there's a plane from their place of origin and they are on that plane and they are deported back to their country of origin," he had said to government and local law enforcement on September 1, 2020.

"You cannot be allowed to have been granted Belongerships status in this country and breach our laws like this... the Belongership status must be pulled and you must be deported back to your country," he had said.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), speaking during a recent COVID-19 update, promised that persons engaging in illegal smuggling and entry would be sought after vigorously and brought to justice.

Gov't speak 20K to deport illegal workers - Hon Wheatley 

While it is unclear if those persons have been deported, Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) on October 4, 2020, said the VI Government had spent at least $20,000 to deport illegal persons from the Territory in August and September.

Those were mostly persons living and working illegally in the Territory.

41 Responses to “Commentator heightens call for deportation of expats involved in human smuggling”

  • Reality check (19/10/2020, 15:40) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree and want any local / Belonger given mandatory jail term of 25 years without parole. Who was running the operation in Cane Garden???
    • quick to condemn (20/10/2020, 14:02) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      so you want to destroy a man life for 25 yrs becase he smuggle ppl looking a better life
  • cgb (19/10/2020, 15:41) Like (16) Dislike (6) Reply
    Deport some who out of jobs and have no responsibilities here send them back down the Island
  • Honestly Speaking (19/10/2020, 15:42) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    Agree 100% revoke them belonged ships if they commit anything crimes or disrespect us BVI Landers
  • Amen (19/10/2020, 15:43) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
    We on this with you Cline them island people going hate you now
  • Antiguan (19/10/2020, 15:44) Like (16) Dislike (18) Reply
    Everything is island people yall praise and look up to Caucasian’s so bad that you go against your own Caribbean brothers and sisters
  • yess (19/10/2020, 15:45) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    Finally someone with sense them island people need sending out
  • Mr.gage (19/10/2020, 15:58) Like (47) Dislike (1) Reply
    The simple reason why you haven't seen any deported it's because majority of the perpetrators responsible for human smuggling are locals Claude knows this, everyone knows this, who owns all these speed boats around the territory?
  • 2cent (19/10/2020, 16:17) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is probably the first thing I ever agreed on from this hallow biscuit pan!!
  • SKB (19/10/2020, 16:52) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree with you on this one I from the island I don’t support this
  • WHAT!!!! (19/10/2020, 16:53) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Finally something I can agree with you on 100%
  • Agree.. (19/10/2020, 16:56) Like (36) Dislike (2) Reply
    Expats need to behave themselves and conduct themselves decently and properly..... Sent them home...
  • DON Q (19/10/2020, 17:00) Like (3) Dislike (13) Reply
    Oh lord leave the people alone
  • garrut (19/10/2020, 17:09) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    sen dah hopskin bwoy bac ah antigua
    • Hopkins (19/10/2020, 19:20) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      You got a problem with the Hopkins family????
      • garrut (19/10/2020, 20:21) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        me seh HOPSKIN u gotta b guilty ah sum sudden
      • Lilly of the Valley (20/10/2020, 09:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I wonder if we type in that last name in google with “BVI news” or something of the likes next to it, what will pop up? Certainly nothing that indicates that they are saints.
  • GG (19/10/2020, 17:19) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree totally and most times this guy is an idiot but he hit the nailon the head here.
  • BS! (19/10/2020, 17:41) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about that lady from I***** R****** and her husband? Will anything be done about that or we just going to pretend that didn't happen???
    • Exactly! (19/10/2020, 19:27) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      No possible way for me to agree with this more.
      As a public servant, her conduct was reprehensible and inexcusable. Public servants must especially be held accountable. Knowingly harbouring people who arrived outside the legal immigration process, big party with numbers in excess of the guidelines of the time.. etc etc.
  • tola (19/10/2020, 17:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He make a point
  • BuzzBvi (19/10/2020, 18:33) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Time for C O. C-S to call on VIslanders to behave and obey or be punished. Looking after your country and your people does not mean, VI criminals should walk free to carry on committing crimes and murdering people with impunity. That way you are only encouraging a criminal culture. Yes apply the law to non VIslanders. Yes apply the law to VIslanders. Everybody included. So tired of this divisive Non Sense that defends a lawless way of life for VIslanders and all others be damned. I guess is the reason why you want to remove oversight for the Territory. VI should have a society where no one is above the law.
  • Patriot bvi (19/10/2020, 19:35) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    As much I agree with you.remember peter tosh song if you live in a glass house don't throw stones.remember claude Cline was imprisoned in the united states for embezzilling money from va church.old crimminal as he is.
    • Hmmm (20/10/2020, 07:23) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Criminals are good at identifying other criminals. Necktie criminal we call them.
    • LCS (20/10/2020, 08:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wonder about Immigration requirement not to allow individuals with criminal records into the Territory. Oh, it must not apply to Born Here BVIslanders. And once in the Territory they get Consultancy Contracts with the ruling power. Some people are just lucky. :)
  • ballast nay (19/10/2020, 19:43) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Cline yes srnd them home they aee only making the country and the rest of you all island people look bad. To you expats do not be mad if your fellow men has to be sent bck home ir may be good for you all expats, Time to clean up the BVI from these people. Send them home and put the NOT RETURN STAMP IN THEIR PASSPORT
  • from buckingham palace (19/10/2020, 20:40) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree with Mr Cline 100%.If you do not belong to the BVI and you commit an offence that is serious you must be deported.I didnt read in this article that Mr.Cline is saying that bvi people do not commit crime,ofcourse we all know bvi people can,and has committed crime,but there is no law in place to deport a bvi person from his country of birth.
    But there is a law in the Immigration Ordinance to deport expats etc if they are undesirables in the bvi,so mr cline is right.deport them yes,if they are not from here and committing crimes.good point cline.
  • lol (19/10/2020, 20:43) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Oh I didnt realize all these big expensive boats were owned by expats.
    • vi (20/10/2020, 06:40) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      You think so they belong to locals using some of the expats who want fast money
  • Not true (19/10/2020, 20:55) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    be honest,,,,, you called the show honestly speaking , let us really talk honestly and speak the truth do you think that we really believe you , thinks its the expats as you claims ,honestly you and i we all know its not them ,but asual they will get the blame because they are easy to pick on , and for $16.000 a month thats the best you can come up with woow,
  • duh (20/10/2020, 00:38) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    What island people smuggling??? Its BVI people doing it and bringing in wedding anniversary guests and strippers and people without work permits to work for them.. You think island people got that much influence?? Stop making others the scapegoat and look at your own flock.
  • Norris Turnbull (20/10/2020, 06:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yeah. But immigration needs a chief who got the nuts to make the request to do so. You cant just up and deport people willing nilly.
  • vi (20/10/2020, 07:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don’t shield them they doing a lot of stupidness they from right here born and raised some holding us passports we all know who them is just that we like to bash out the the island people
  • @cline (20/10/2020, 08:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Becareful we are after you
  • Ghost (20/10/2020, 10:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I fully agree 110% with Claude and not just be Deported for this alone but any crimes they commit.. re: locals I’ve said it before they should be held accountable as well and not just get a slap on the wrist because they’re a local.. when you go to another man’s country one should behave themselves. Our Peaceful culture have Changed- So sad..
  • Kudos (20/10/2020, 10:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @Garrut if you want your opinion read...write for all to understand.
  • vi (20/10/2020, 13:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Deport the island man but make sure you give the locals the harsh penalty
  • Automatic Deportation (20/10/2020, 20:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This should be automatic Deportation for Island , Continent, Moon anybody involved in crime. No need from discussion!
  • M (21/10/2020, 08:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The island people take is in d air again we are all on planet earth for God sake we are all human beings


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