Report: Dominican Republic nationals problematic to VI
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - In a blunt 2011 annual report from the Immigration Department laid before the House of Assembly on July 24, 2012, it was revealed that nationals of the Dominican Republic were the most refused permission to land in the Virgin Islands (VI).
According to the report, there was a total of 168 persons from 25 different countries who were refused permission to land in the VI in 2011.
The Immigration Department 2011 reported that for immigrants numbering in double figures being refused entry to land in the VI, nationals of the Dominican Republic had a total of 31 refusals to land. Dominica, a close second with 21 was followed by Brazil 16, United States of America 14, Guyana 11, Jamaica 11 and Venezuela 10.
According to the report, now a public document, there were a number of reasons for refusals including criminal convictions, providing false information to officers, insufficient funds, fraudulent documents, which included false BVI Visas and entry stamps, illegal activity and attempting illegal entry through the ports of entry.
The report made clear that when this happens it becomes a threat to public safety and national security. The document stated that most of the refusals occurred at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport. The port of entry at West End ranked second with respect to persons being refused entry followed by Road Town.
It was also revealed in the 2011 Immigration report that refusals at Jost Van Dyke, Anegada and Virgin Gorda have been relatively low and the trend seems to suggest that there will be very little change in the foreseeable future.
Dominican Republic a problem for the Virgin Islands
The report stated that the “Dominican Republic nationals have been problematic to this Territory for decades primarily as a result of economic difficulties.”
On page 17 of the report it concluded by saying, “it is evident that the Dominican Republic topped the list of persons refused at the Ports of entry. The main reasons for their refusals have been the lack of 1. British visas and 2. Return tickets.”
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