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Chief Immigration Officer Ian B. Penn to retire this month

- Mr Penn may be headed to the lucrative private sector
After being confirmed as the Chief Immigration Officer on September 3, 2020, and with many years in the Immigration Department Chief Immigration Officer and Attorney Ian B. Penn, an indigenous Virgin Islander, is to retire from the public service. Photo: VINO/File
It is believed that the Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Nadia Demming-Hodge, will be in charge of the department once Mr Ian B. Penn proceeds on pre-retirement leave. Photo: LinkedIn
It is believed that the Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Nadia Demming-Hodge, will be in charge of the department once Mr Ian B. Penn proceeds on pre-retirement leave. Photo: LinkedIn
Mr Ian B. Penn, who is also an Attorney at Law, was called to the bar in 2019. Photo: Facebook
Mr Ian B. Penn, who is also an Attorney at Law, was called to the bar in 2019. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- After being confirmed as the Chief Immigration Officer on September 3, 2020, and with many years in the Immigration Department, Chief Immigration Officer Mr Ian B. Penn, an indigenous Virgin Islander, is to retire from the public service.

According to senior sources within the Human Resources Department familiar with the matter, Mr Penn is expected to proceed on pre-retirement leave this Friday, December 8, 2023, and will retire fully by December 31, 2023.

Mr Penn, who is also an Attorney at Law, was called to the bar in 2019. There are reports that he may take up a role in a major private-sector law firm.

The out-going CIO did not respond to our request for comment.

Who will be in charge?

With a couple of days left before pre-retirement leave, it is believed that Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Nadia Demming-Hodge will be in charge of the department, notwithstanding no acting appointment letter was issued to the officer.

The post of Chief Immigration Officer has not been advertised recently.

The Immigration Department falls under the portfolio of Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D Wheatley (R7) via the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development. Mr Joseph Smith Abbott is the acting Permanent Secretary in that Ministry.

The Immigration Department is responsible for regulating and facilitating the movement of people in and out of the Territory, in accordance with the Virgin Islands Immigration Laws.

23 Responses to “Chief Immigration Officer Ian B. Penn to retire this month ”

  • asura (06/12/2023, 12:01) Like (7) Dislike (25) Reply
    what a big lost
  • Good thing.. (06/12/2023, 13:20) Like (19) Dislike (10) Reply
    Hope they get a strong, discipline, fair no nonsense law upholding lady. .
  • musa (06/12/2023, 13:28) Like (12) Dislike (11) Reply
    I considered it a win somebody get a opportunity to serve and best wishes to Mr penn.
  • born here (06/12/2023, 14:04) Like (23) Dislike (16) Reply
    Time for Guy Hill
    • @born here (06/12/2023, 16:21) Like (21) Dislike (13) Reply
      Guy Hill had his opportunity at the prison and he disappoint me. Guy hill is my friend knowledgeable but he can't manage...
      • East people (06/12/2023, 18:45) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
        Guy Hill, is a educated man, and he can lead that department. Give him a chance. Please don't do him like what they did to Koy. Bring a man from outside, please do not
      • Norris Turnbull (08/12/2023, 00:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        @@born here. Hill is not your dam friend. I'll just rest this here.
    • Rj (07/12/2023, 03:33) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      You have dimentia or ...to do what to display arrogance.
  • Easy as 1 2 3 (06/12/2023, 14:33) Like (23) Dislike (8) Reply
    Bring back Guy Hill
  • Kris (06/12/2023, 14:50) Like (14) Dislike (8) Reply
    Thank you for youŕ service Mr..Penn. Enjoy the break until you begin another job.
  • Just Sayin (06/12/2023, 15:48) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    This is where Guy Hill is meant to be....he knows the form..he was great at his job....lead on Sir
    • GV (06/12/2023, 16:53) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
      They set up Guy Hill to fail at the prison
      • ReX FeRal (08/12/2023, 00:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Don't see how Hill fail at he prison when he was not supported by the government and most crooked undermining staff. You all need to stop. Most of you blogging probably never had a conversation with the man. He's a straight shooter and most cannot and will not deal with that.
      • Native Tongue (08/12/2023, 00:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @GV.. who is they? When you speak the truth and call out people’s bull nonsense they don't want you around.
  • Private practice (06/12/2023, 17:59) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    seems like the best choice for this retired public servant now barrister.
  • foxy (06/12/2023, 19:39) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    His staff will miss him
  • Anyone except Nadia (06/12/2023, 20:45) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    Please appoint anyone except Nadia who is not equipped or seasoned for this position. Overall morale at the department is low according to inside sources and also the overall attitudes of the workers at the Portts are poor. Needs someone there to transform the entire department.
  • NB (06/12/2023, 22:28) Like (56) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mr. Penn may have been a qualified person but his attitude and demeanor was very unpleasant. At the end of the day he was deaing with people and sensitive situations. His job required him to be firm but polite and humane. Now as to the lady, lort have mercy, please change your ‘I bigger and better than everybody else’ attitude. I wish you well after that.
  • Great Man (06/12/2023, 22:28) Like (4) Dislike (21) Reply
    He truly served unbiased…. Best wishes Mr Penn we will miss you
  • ... (07/12/2023, 00:28) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    Mr Penn has continue to do his part and work to contribute to our beloved bvi
  • pureblooded unvaxxed (07/12/2023, 06:31) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Do some sit ups while on vacation sir.
  • civil servants (07/12/2023, 13:12) Like (4) Dislike (17) Reply
    Mr Penn has served well with integrity


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