Third District Representative and Member of the Opposition, Hon Julian Fraser RA has criticised the approach to immigration reform by the Virgin Islands Party (VIP Government. Photo: VINO/File. Photo: Facebook/File

Calling the Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) approach to issues and immigration reform as one with a ‘band-aid,’ the Member for the Third, Hon Julian Fraser in his striking criticisms said there are too many things under the current administration that are slipping and getting out of hand. Photo: VINO/File

Calling the Government's handling of immigration reform as one of temporary solutions, the Member for the Third District, in his striking criticisms, said there are too many things under the current administration that are slipping and getting out of hand.

“You try to address them and addressing some of these pressures through legislation is only a Band-Aid," he said.

Fast Track a ‘one-off’ initiative – Hon Fraser

Hon Fraser, in pointing to constitutional reform, said that is the only real way the VI can solve its dilemma of third and second generation offsprings of Virgin Islanders born outside the territory and wanting to gain legal status.

“I’m glad that this is a one-off and it has a date,” he said concerning the ‘Clear path to regularisation: Residency and Belonger Status Programme’ of the VIP administration during the July 31, 2019, sitting of the House of Assembly.

“When that one-off is over and the date comes, it’s probably the time to explain to members what I know regarding this matter and how it’s to fix,” Hon Fraser told the House.

He said the way to solve existing concerns of the ‘Fast track’ programme, such as one raised by Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) about the programme’s possibility of allowing wealthy immigrants to buy up VI lands, is to introduce a new section to the constitution establishing an Indigenous Virgin Islander.

Look into Constitution – Hon Fraser

“Once that is done, Mr Speaker, all the problems that I heard and that we all face, can be resolved through that method.”

Hon Fraser said the ‘Fast Track’ initiative will capture a certain amount of people in its narrow window, however, he said he is still unsure whether the programme will reach all of the people who can benefit.

He said by establishing an Indigenous Virgin Islander in the constitution, it could be the thing that bails everyone out from the controversy surrounding the immigration initiative.