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Rights for expats’ children 'out of our hands'- Doug Wheatley

Talk show host Doug Wheatley said the issue of giving rights to children born in the Virgin Islands to expatriates is solely in the hands of the United Kingdom. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn has been advocating for children born in the VI to expat parents to be given their rights as citizens of the territory. Photo: VINO
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn has been advocating for children born in the VI to expat parents to be given their rights as citizens of the territory. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Talk show host of the Speak Out BVI programme on ZBVI 780 AM Doug Wheatley has pointed out to the present situation where children born to expatriates in the territory have to apply for citizenship in Britain, as one of the glaring examples of the downside of not being an independent nation.

Using his weekly programme on Tuesday September 27, 2016 Mr Wheatley was responding to a question raised by a caller regarding the issue and if in his view it was not the time to change the modus operandi.

“Out of our hands”

Wheatley said the power rests solely in the hands of the British since he informed that it is part of the British Nationality Act that was passed by the parliament of the United Kingdom and only they can do something about that.

“Because we are a colony of Britain, Britain can pass legislation and send to us and we have to adhere to it,” he said, “and I know people don’t like to hear the words independence and self -determination but so long as you are not your own man or your own woman, you have to be subjected to a number of things that you don’t like coming from the mother country. But it’s out of our hands really the only thing we can do is talk to them and see how they feel about it.”

Education and Culture Minister Hon Myron V. Walwyn recently made a case for the very same issue to be addressed, however, Wheatley stated, what can be done is  to state their case before the UK Government and point out what are the shortcomings of the Act.

Hon Walwyn, speaking in the House of Assembly on September 23, 2016 blasted his fellow HoA Members for being quiet on the issue when they know “it is wrong.”

Complete overhaul needed

“A lot of that is going on, we really need to overhaul our government, overhaul our constitution, we need to overhaul a lot of things because there are a lot of things that needs to be done,” the talk show host surmised.

34 Responses to “Rights for expats’ children 'out of our hands'- Doug Wheatley”

  • i from here (28/09/2016, 08:48) Like (16) Dislike (7) Reply
    Myron needs to do his homework.

    This law was put in place to control the number of outsiders coming to the BVI to have their baby in order for their child to obtain a BVI passport, thereafter the mother would be granted permanent stay because the child was born here. This was happening about 10-15 years ago hence why the law was put in place.

    Since that law was put in place, a big hole was put in this scheme and the loop hole was closed.

    Myron only pushing this because his outside parents done the same thing, came from Antigua to have him here.
  • son of the soil (28/09/2016, 09:15) Like (12) Dislike (38) Reply
    Why these island people don't go back where they are from to get their kids? We need to reinstate that policy when an outsider on work permit gets pregnant they have to leave. I am sick of all these island people bawling when they know better. This is our law, take it or leave it!
    • BIM (28/09/2016, 11:07) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
      Come on! Not only island people migrate to the BVI to make a better life! Your comment is ignorant.
    • @ son of the soil (28/09/2016, 13:22) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
      When the majority of BVI ppl go to the US to get their kids better life why ya'll don't talk shit then? MAD MIND DON'T CARRY YOU ANYWHERE IN LIFE.
    • just sayins (28/09/2016, 15:11) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      son of the soil I do understand your point but what we don't like for others then we should not be doing it B V Islanders are leaving here and have birth to their children in the U.S.A just remember
      • LilKim (01/10/2016, 11:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Whoever wants to birth their child is welcome to do it where the law accomadates. The USA has no beef about this,they welcome it for economic reasons to their benefit. The UK and the BVi have a different spin based
    • Smile (29/09/2016, 11:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      well said sweet heart. but is the people aware that island people coming to the bvi on work permit and they are pregnant ? then fault document for the medical section was sent by their country.
    • Yes (29/09/2016, 13:40) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      island people like BVI people aren't "island people"... LOL i do not understand.
    • son of the soil (29/09/2016, 20:16) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Just like how you guys want to have American kids it's the same ways island people want bvi kids
  • oh beautiful virgin islands (28/09/2016, 09:16) Like (6) Dislike (28) Reply
    We are not changing/bending our laws to accommodate nobody.
  • maybe just maybe (28/09/2016, 09:19) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    We need to educate the expats about our policies and laws when they arrive here so that we don't end up with these types of situations.
    • Hmm!! (28/09/2016, 14:09) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      You need to change the law.It's unjust and totally unwanted.Well,maybe wanted by the haters that like to oppress people.
      • Aric (28/09/2016, 18:07) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Those laws were handed down to us by the UK. In addition, we don't need to change our laws you need to change where you get your children if our laws offed you. It is that simple.
    • ReX FeRal (29/09/2016, 05:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Guy Hill tried to do just thst but was blocked from doing so by government. Is it a case they dislike this man spitefully?
  • BVI conspiracy (28/09/2016, 13:33) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Doug u talking a heap of garbage. U know better but u deliberately speaking against the children ...The chief minister has the authority to Grant anyone he wishes Up tp belonged status...He doesn't have the authority to Grant naturalization.. That's the power of the governor All the parents are asking for is belonger staus for their children. ..
  • Y'all sick (28/09/2016, 14:21) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    So why do many bvislanders go to stthomas or Puerto Rico or even Miami to have babies???!! Y'all are the worst set of people. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

    Sincerely,

    A Tortolian with Dominican parents
    • Tolian (28/09/2016, 18:43) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      well why ayo don't go the same places and get ayo own too? Even though ours born elsewhere they still from the BVI so ayo own should be from where ayo from.
      • Ain (29/09/2016, 06:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

        J**k@$$ you know where a person is from when i crime is commited. Let your american born child kill someone here in the B.V.I and lets see what would happen. Being selfish is never a good thing. Ask mr. Wheatley where his son wife is from. Case close

  • ausar (28/09/2016, 15:19) Like (7) Dislike (25) Reply
    Thank God for the British Nationality Act.

    Now, why don't you folks who bawling go to the House of Commons and the House of Lords with your complaints?

    It is they- the UK- that controls immigration.

    Cry to the Queen, not our leaders!
  • wize up (28/09/2016, 16:47) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Help soon come: a substantial number of white expats are borning their children in this territory and once those white expats begin to lobby the governor the issue will be reviewed.....
  • FixIt!!! (28/09/2016, 17:42) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    @yall sick, I am a tolian with SKB parents and I do believe if you are born in a place you are from the place. I also believe that each nation has a right to decide how it will protect itself. If you are aware of the laws then why are you still having kids born and raise in that country. Its not about hating expats its about protecting the locals from losing a sense of control not that I think it is working.

    Use the Minister for example, is he really a VILander. I was born and raise in the VI but by SKB parents and I didnt' realize how different i was until my later years.
  • BVIslander (28/09/2016, 18:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Man wait til ayo mek 18 and we will fix ayo up.
  • they know better but wilfull (28/09/2016, 18:47) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Most of these foreigners already heard whats going on and still here breeding left right and center.
  • 2peak (28/09/2016, 21:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sorry ! I am out of the loop, but could someone tell what is the long hand for FixIt SKB parents. What island is he point to with SKB?
  • cay (28/09/2016, 21:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    Myron playing pure politics 

  • bojan (28/09/2016, 21:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That's way am not singing or saying God save no Queen. I would also like to know how many schools been built by the UK money verses the amount of Her Majesty's Prison built in the Caribbean.
  • dude (28/09/2016, 22:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wheatley needs to head another constitutional reform committee because we don't need independence right now but our constitution is outdated and a number of things need to be amended
  • Ain (29/09/2016, 06:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let me show you this law is used to punish some people. Look at this a man is a belonger or he is naturalized and have a child with a woman he is not married to the get children and those children get passport remember he is not married to the woman and she has no kind of status for the B.V.I . Women married to men from here and bring all their sisters and cousin children that are under the age of 18 years and give them B.V.I status and there is nothing wrong with that,but a child born in these same islands have less rights than those that are adopted. wow!
    • . (29/09/2016, 23:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes, that is how it is. Citizenship derive from parentage, not from place of birth, just like most countries in the world. So children who have a father, whether adopted or not, get his status. Children who have no father from birth get only their mother's status. Why is this such a surprise to people?
  • Smile (29/09/2016, 12:01) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    many island ladies come to the bvi married the stupid tola man them and then bring all there kids to the bvi get them in government school when i actually thought their is a law for expats kids.. people come to the bvi in less than a year they send for their kids to come to the bvi and get the approval. i live around 6 expat kids that just came to the bvi in august some here for there very first time and they get in to the public school one get in the pink n blue uniform school one goes the maduro primary school located in baughers bay and 2 present in elmore stoutt high school one in sdas primary other is sdas high school. then the parents start complain about the school system and the amount of books xyz what i dont understand the schools are over full i dont think a class should has more than 20 kids. when they born kids here they sending them kids home until 5 just to avoid the day care the island ppl them dont leave money here all ah go home if they could of bring provision free here no pay to clear they would of. but the bvi government just for the island ppl so i has no more to say
  • wize up (29/09/2016, 18:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    who would have thought this bird sanctuary will be causing so much excitement in 2016: this little dot on the world map(ting to talk)....not even big USA have this much excitement; there is something about this mysterious little place
  • John (30/09/2016, 04:33) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Virgin Islander status is by decent. Being born in the Virgin Islands does not make one a Virgin Islander. Even if a Virgin Islander is born in the States, that does not change their VI status. That is not only a VI fact but applies to all countries in the world. So the expat who are borned here are not citizens of the VI but are citizens of those countries from which their parents came.

    Yes, the British nationality act is in place, but we should not need it to claim our rights to our inheritance and lands. Many of us do go to the US to birth our children and many of us acquire US green cards but in these days, that seems to be largely a matter of convenience. It does not mean we are giving up our VI citizenship.

    The United States is a country that is run by foreigners for foreigners. It is all foreign controlled. The native American have been forgotten. They mostly live in the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, they can't even grow corn there; so much for befriending foreigners. It seems that some just can't get enough.

    We are not against foreigners, we never have been. But we shouldn't have to prove that by giving them control of our territory.
    Government officials went to the country of Dubai a few years ago to investigate how they do their tourism, they should also have investigated how Dubai does immigration. You cannot go to Dubai and become a citizen. People go there as tourist or as foreign workers, although there are those who are given indefinite residence  for great contributions, by the rulers. There are many other countries that have such policies in place. They limit immigration because they do not want their culture changed. The same applies whether the country be UK, Germany, France or any other who want to maintain their cultural heritage and lands.

    I went to elementary school with many who came from elsewhere. Back then there was no question of hate that you are hearing today. We all got along. People didn't come here flying their flags and at the same time asking to become one of us.

    Those who came here to work get their pay; that is all they're owed.

    I've also noticed that it is the ministers of government who came here and prospered are the ones calling for independence; not a word from the premier. Why should these ministers come here to tell us when to go independent? It is also questionable whether they are in these positions based on the constitution. I mean, what more do people want?


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