Premier Smith words useless? Expats with job offers still must leave- Immigration Dept
It appears that no one respects the Premier, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), and his public announcements on Immigration policies, as there are serious questions as to whether what he says publicly can be relied on to form government policies.
New Immigration policy expats must stay?
The Premier and Minister of Immigration has continued to be publicly humiliated, “dressed down”, and insulted by his own elected members, such as his Education and Culture Minister, Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL), and a few months ago by the Second District Representative, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, who called on him in the House of Assembly (HoA) to give up the portfolio of Finance.
It was last week in the House of Assembly in answer to a question from Leader of the Opposition Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) about why expats are being asked to leave that Premier Smith said, "Expatriates currently residing in the territory who were offered engagement with companies requiring employees for the hurricane relief work with the employer are not being asked to currently leave the territory.”
Then at a ceremony in memory of the late first Chief Minister, H. Lavity Stoutt, on Monday March 5, 2018 he also announced again that “I have already heard of persons being asked to leave the Territory. I want my Chief Immigration Officer to cease and desist from this practice unless these persons have committed a crime,” Premier Smith said.
Expats still must go
However, as of today, Thursday March 8, 2018 there has been no change of policy at the Immigration Department. Up to this morning persons called our newsroom and said they have found employment after Hurricane Irma destroyed their places of work and they were “still asked to leave.”
We called the Immigration Department on Tuesday March 6, 2018, and a senior immigration officer told our newsroom "I am not aware of a change in policy."
In addition, on March 7, 2018 there were five more such cases of expats being asked to leave after finding new employment. Some have argued that it clearly demonstrates that the Premier does not call the shots in the Territory and has become very weak.
Efforts to get a comment from Director of Communications Arliene T. Penn, as to whether Premier Smith had issued a directive via writing to the Immigration Department for it to not send home expats changing jobs, were unsuccessful.
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44 Responses to “Premier Smith words useless? Expats with job offers still must leave- Immigration Dept”
Then he did it during H. L. Stout celebration. That was very distasteful and irresponsible.
This time in our history is crucial for support to our Gov , whatever party, This is an opportune time for the free flow of colonizing juices. The urge to control, to destroy to make in their image, to fix to dictate has left its stamp on worldwide chaos in many parts of the World. Wherever and whenever humanitarian aid was required, opportunity knocked.. Beware and in unity we must support our Gov.. Stay strong.Stay supportive.
http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/exclusive-law-on-staying-while-changing-jobs-nothing-new-ian-b-penn
Finally, a good reason to exercise such discretion is that the BVI has become a place where it is reputedly difficult to do business or be an expat from an immigration standpoint. This harms the BVI long term and makes it hard to attract the best people. Never forget that for every lawyer etc who we seek to recruit (each of which drops about $150k into the local economy through taxes, rent, school fees, food and drink) they are weighing us up against Cayman and Bermuda. I am committed to here but if I had my time again I would go for Cayman every time. Long term this will lead to a reduction in taxes, incorporations and living standards in the BVI. We need to change the narrative and become a place which welcomes (and benefits from) skilled workers
Smith is a decent man. Any how you will face the havoc when some one New takes his place.
Bvi people don't like they own self.
Guys like Gilbert and "Teddy" does their best to assist you and to let you know what is the current policy. I am a Virgin Islander married to an expat and their was no short cut for my wife because i am a Virgin Islander.
Again i would say "let the immigration department do their jobs". I guarantee you if these expats were in St Thomas or the mainland USA it would not have been an issue...and the last time i checked Virgin Islander has to abide by the immigration laws of other Caribbean islands.
This article and head line spells J@#$$/^&,, all the way. That man is so messy. He needs to stop now.
Good luck
Operative words!!!