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Ian B. Penn appointed Deputy CIO

- Local Attorney to act in the post for 1 year
Virgin Islander and Attorney at Law Mr. Ian B. Penn has been appointed Acting Deputy Chief Immigration Officer for a period of one year in the Government’s Immigration Department. Photo: VINO/File
Many believe that, following the ending of the retirement vacation leave of the former Chief Immigration Officer, Dennis Jennings, current Acting Chief Immigration Officer Mr. Guy M. Hill (above) should be appointed to the post of Chief Immigration Officer. Photo: VINO
Many believe that, following the ending of the retirement vacation leave of the former Chief Immigration Officer, Dennis Jennings, current Acting Chief Immigration Officer Mr. Guy M. Hill (above) should be appointed to the post of Chief Immigration Officer. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Word just reaching our news room from our sources within the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) is that Virgin Islander Attorney at Law Mr. Ian B. Penn has been appointed Acting Deputy Chief Immigration Officer in the Government’s Immigration Department.

According to the NDP source, the acting appointment took effect from January 20, 2014 and is for one year.

Mr. Penn’s Background

According to this news sites research, Mr. Penn first joined the Immigration Department in 1987 and has moved up the ranks and was promoted to senior immigration officer in 2000.

The Virgin Islander enrolled at the H Lavity Stoutt Community College in 2004 and studied Business Administration where he graduated in 2007 with an Associate Degree.

After study leave, Mr. Penn returned to the Immigration Department and in January 2008 was appointed to act as Deputy Chief Immigration Officer.

Mr. Penn left the Department in 2008 and went to law school in the United Kingdom where he earned a Bachelor’s of Law Degree from the University of East London.

On his return to the Virgin Islands in 2012 from law school, he did a short stint at the Office of the Director of Public Persecution and has now been named Acting Deputy Chief Immigration Officer effective last week, according to the same NDP source.

Guy M. Hill

The current Acting Chief Immigration Officer is Mr. Guy M. Hill. Many believe that following the ending of the retirement vacation leave of the former Chief Immigration Officer, Dennis Jennings, Mr. Hill should be appointed to the post of Chief Immigration Officer.

However, the NDP source told our news site, that decision is up to the Premier and Minister of Immigration Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, in consultation with the Permanent Secretary.

Mr. Hill is a Virgin Islander and is very qualified for the post of Chief Immigration Officer and is known to be very disciplined in upholding the immigration laws of the Virgin Islands.

33 Responses to “Ian B. Penn appointed Deputy CIO”

  • wise up (27/01/2014, 14:27) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Penn & Hill will work good togather
    • BVIslander (27/01/2014, 16:34) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree. I also agree with your last sentence on Mr Hill. He is a man of integrity and come to the laws of these islands, he is not one that the ministers can shove around or is not a "yes" man. He sticks to the law!
      I wish Mr Hill and Mr Penn all the best. I think that they can make a difference!
  • Fellow VIslander (27/01/2014, 14:33) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Best wishes to Mr Hill and to Mr Penn.
  • yes (27/01/2014, 14:48) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is good news, two decent men at the helm of this important Department. Mr Hill is a zero tolerance no nonsense guy, you couldn't get a better man to lead that critical department. Let's hope no politics is at play here for we know Mr Hill doesn't care if you're Lawyer, Judge or Politician, he will act according to LAW.
    • @yes (27/01/2014, 21:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I so agree with you..some of the powers that be think he is too harsh but Hill is the best man for this job. No nonsense kinda person.
  • ccc (27/01/2014, 15:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats Ira
  • Lovely (27/01/2014, 15:47) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I really love this team Mr. Hill and Mr. Penn all this best make us proud
  • jammie (27/01/2014, 16:09) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats mr penn
  • qc (27/01/2014, 17:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    how dem say aint got no locals qualified to do dey work eh
  • 1 (27/01/2014, 17:40) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    VINO your intelligence gathering skills is number 1
  • UK (27/01/2014, 17:44) Like (3) Dislike (27) Reply
    i really believe that the governor should bring two uk nationals to fill that post, and i know the entire bvi would agree with me on this one, its all for the better of the bvi, long live uk bvi.
    • scatter (27/01/2014, 18:18) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      You and you colonial mentality still want to keep us in bondage gave me freedom or gave me death you had better believe it.
    • HAHAHA (27/01/2014, 20:28) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Lol I know that statement was meant as a joke.
  • RedMan (27/01/2014, 20:07) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow!!!! COngrats Mr. Penn on position of acting Deputy Chief Immigration Officer. Being a freind of yours for many yrs. I know you will do a hell uve a job...this I know personally...Even better they should have considered YOU for the Chief Immigration Officer position...(because at keeping it 100%, your a man that knows how to talk and deal with people in the most respective way)...these are key elements.....anyways...Congrats once again...the man Ian.....
  • tola (27/01/2014, 21:25) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    @ UK if you have nothing to say keep your moth shut. Or if it stink clean it move your stupid ass. About uk nationals in post
  • george w. touch (27/01/2014, 21:45) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Two local fellas who are ready for the work end of story
  • POPE (27/01/2014, 21:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ndp did good on this one two competent persons how they do not mess up like they did like some of those weak private secretaries
  • interesting pic (27/01/2014, 22:35) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    the computer is off in the picture
  • jtv (28/01/2014, 06:57) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations also Mr penn on your law degree
  • wise up (28/01/2014, 07:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    WOW!!!!! KOJAK, we need you on the police force right away; you are have mad skills(the computer is realy off in the picture)
    • Lee (28/01/2014, 13:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well jah, you guys dont miss nothing, maybe he has one of those computer screen that persons standing next to you can't read whats on your screen. It does appear like he is typing from the book though!!
  • Congratulations (28/01/2014, 08:55) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is good news....and it's time for them to now appoint Guy as the Chief Immigration Officer instead of this acting nonsense. Makes you wonder what they're up to by not confirming the position...but if God be for you, who can be against you? I do believe that Guy has the education, the common sense and the years of experience to get the job done, and with Mr. Penn at his side, I believe they will work well together and learn from each other also. They have my support! Congratulations Mr. Penn.
  • Congratulations (28/01/2014, 09:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cograts Uncle Ian!!!!
  • question (28/01/2014, 16:27) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    no experience in law to impose law on the ppl... hmmm I could tell u
    • smith & jones (28/01/2014, 21:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @question. What is your moot point? The brother completed a law program and you come on here chattin piss. I dont think you know either of these native sons. At least its a department headed by locals. That must count for something. Gosh man.
  • ABC (28/01/2014, 20:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    Having worked with Hill for some time, I personally think that the Government would do well to switch those two officers as there is need for a cool head and rational thinking at the top position. If this is not done Dr. Smith could be in for two years of pains.

    • tola gem (30/01/2014, 05:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      To ABC: you et al..in that department has issues. I know one thing about Hill. He is not a sell out and he loves his native Virgin Islands.
    • tola gem (30/01/2014, 05:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      To ABC: you et al..in that department has issues. I know one thing about Hill. He is not a sell out and he loves his native Virgin Islands.
  • Mandingo (29/01/2014, 03:54) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Penn Congratulations!!! Indeed I know you to be a decent person and I wish you all the best. However, something is wrong with this story line... In 2008 you were appointed Acting CIO after completing your Associates now in 2014 after completing your Law degree you are still appointed to that same post? I say something is wrong here. You deserve more than that.!!! Lord have mercy...they should have at a minimum appointed you fully to the post and not put you to act again. Government here must stop making fools of their own. Ian boy... you got your 25 years ...my advice would be to retire that post and go work in the private arena.... get a salary plus a pension!! Don't sit their with that messily salary. At a very minimum make an appeal to the Governor to appoint you out fully. He can do it. Trust me ...I know he can.!!
  • Joc (29/01/2014, 12:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is such good stuff!! Congrats Ian!! I wish you all of God's blessings.
  • xclan (30/01/2014, 05:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Read hill's resume when u get a chance.


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