No mass deportations of expats with new immigration reforms—Premier Wheatley
“Let me just say it this way, we are not going to send anyone who is all expatriates home or anything like that. That's not going to happen,” he said.
Sensitisation & Education
To this end, Premier Wheatley sought to underscore that the purpose of the amendments to the legislation is to ensure a “clear, transparent process” for granting Belonger status to expatriates who have made valuable contributions to the territory.
Clarifying his position further, he said, “What we do want to do is we want to have a process by which persons who are expatriates and are making a valuable contribution to the society, that they have a clear process to become Belongers.”
Acknowledging the need for public education on the changes, the Premier stated that the government would be conducting “sensitisation and education with the public to ensure that everyone understands what the laws are and what is expected of them.” He further assured that applications made under previous regulations would be judged based on those rules: “Persons who have applied under the old rules they should be judged based on the old rules.”
Honourable Turnbull clarifies position
Meanwhile, Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) was also forced to interject, in an attempt to clarify comments he made that many interpreted as offensive towards indigenous Virgin Islanders.
“Madam Speaker, again I rise to the point of information...hopefully this third time with a little more clarity; If we send home all expatriates, meaning Madam Speaker, we will be sending home families and husbands and wives of children who were not, quote, unquote, indigenous. We will have a Virgin Islands that we don’t recognise and which will become a slum. That’s what I said.”
Hon Turnbull claimed that his main point was to emphasise the strength of unity. “We are stronger together. We are stronger when we unify. We are stronger when we work together,” he said, adding, “This divide that we continue to have...we are brothers and sisters from the Caribbean.”
Premier Wheatley acknowledged Hon Turnbull’s explanation but urged caution in public statements, saying, “...let's be careful; I think some persons would have taken that as offensive.
Many local Virgin Islanders who are considered indigenous (one or both of their parents and grandparents born in the VI) were very offended and rejected Hon Turnbull's divisive claim that if all expats are returned home, the Territory will be a slum.
Bill approved unanimously
Citing Eight District Representative Honourable Marlon A. Penn's earlier contribution, Premier Wheatley remarked, “Persons need certainty. We need a process which is fair. We need a process which is transparent, and really that is what we are seeking to do.”
He also sought to dispel any misconceptions about previous administrations' actions regarding the granting of Belonger status, asserting, “I challenge the Leader of the Opposition or anyone to point to an individual who received Belonger status who is not legally entitled to it.”
He was nonetheless adamant, “...there is no need for us to try to rehash the past of what one government did or another government did. The point is we have to fix all of those issues now.”
The Bill was subsequently subject to a Special Select Committee, after which it was approved unanimously by members of the HoA when the sitting resumed on April 24, 2025.
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15 Responses to “No mass deportations of expats with new immigration reforms—Premier Wheatley ”
Trump has no intention of crippling industries that depend on migrant labor — agriculture, landscaping, construction, home healthcare — jobs Americans have abandoned . Once the criminal element is removed and public safety visibly improves, few Americans will concern themselves with who is picking their crops, cutting their lawns, or building their homes.
Securing the border was always the essential goal. Control — not mass expulsion — is what reassures a society. Once that control is restored, most Americans will direct their focus to some other issues that is or has the potential to impact their quality of life.
Mi did read one study pon https://ovza.com/ – talkin’ how stability wid tings like immigration an’ law go hand in hand wid foreign investment. If investors see we treat people fair an’ run di place proper, dem more likely fi bring money yah. So mi hope di government keep it balanced an’ think long term. Respect.
In the USA once you get an opportunity to become legal your a Pr while you can contribute and build ! Wick set of people! I Glad the day I decided to leave !
"Indigenous" refers to the people who originally inhabited a place, especially those who were settled before colonization or the arrival of other groups.
Meaning of Indigenous in BVI
Offspring if one or both of their parents and grandparents born in the VI after colonisation.
Go figure.