Social commentator and talk show host Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said a proper committee needs to be in place to manage population growth in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook

During a ceremony, one hundred and thirteen residents were granted Belonger status at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium in Paraquita Bay on January 29, 2026. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

One hundred and thirteen residents were recently granted Belonger status, and a ceremony to mark this significant milestone was held at Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium in Paraquita Bay on January 29, 2026. 

During Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Skelton-Cline said, “We continue to see an increase in population growth. I saw some [113] persons receiving Belonger status in the country.”

Wednesday’s show was titled ‘Can I say something and still be loved?'

Becoming a Belonger

Currently, anyone seeking to obtain Belonger status in the VI should have twenty years of consecutive, legal, and ordinary residence there.

According to the government’s website, the process follows these five steps:

1. An applicant submits an application form(s) and all required documents to the Immigration Department.  
2. The form is verified for completeness and accuracy, after which the applicant is given a checklist that verifies all documents received and those outstanding, if any. 
3. The applicant is contacted for an interview and to sit a Cultural Test, where applicable.  
4. An applicant is informed of the decision taken through written communication by a member of the Immigration Department's Status Unit. If the application has been approved, the applicant is required to present himself/herself to the Immigration Department’s cashier to pay a fee of Five Hundred and Ten Dollars ($510.00). 
5. Once payment is received, the applicant's Belonger Certificate and Belonger Card is prepared for issuance.

Proper management committee

Skelton-Cline said of the new Belongers, “I’m sure they’re well-deserving”. 

He, however, said proper management of the growing population is needed. 

“Committees should be in place to manage population growth, determine the way in which these statuses are being issued, that is yet to be in place.”