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Swift fines for illegal immigrants under proposed amended Immigration Act

- Act will empower Immigration Department to charge persons entering Territory illegally without taking them to court
As part of the new legislative agenda delivered in the Speech from the Throne, the Virgin Islands (VI) government is moving to give its Immigration Department the power to swiftly fine illegal immigrants outside of the court system. Photo: Internet Source
The plans were revealed by Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI), H.E Augustus J.U. Jasper at today’s November 5, 2020, First Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA). Photo: GIS/File
The plans were revealed by Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI), H.E Augustus J.U. Jasper at today’s November 5, 2020, First Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA). Photo: GIS/File
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - As part of the new legislative agenda delivered in the Speech from the Throne, the Virgin Islands (VI) government is moving to give its Immigration Department the power to swiftly fine illegal immigrants outside of the court system.

This was revealed by Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI), Mr Augustus J.U. Jaspert at today’s November 5, 2020, First Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) held at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom.

Swift fines outside of court

“Our Government will seek to amend the Immigration and Passport Act (CAP. 130) to ensure that the Immigration Department, as a frontline border agency, has the requisite power to charge compound fees on persons who enter the country illegally without having to take them to court,” he said.

“This frees up the court system from dealing with smaller cases and allows the Immigration Department to expedite issues while sending a strong message to those attempting to enter illegally,” Governor Jaspert explained.

In addition, the Governor said the administration will undergo a revision of the Immigration and Passport Act (CAP. 130) to bring it in line with international best practice and ensure that the legislation is in keeping with the transformation plan for the Immigration Department.

The amendments to the Immigration and Passport Act will help to facilitate adjustments to the immigration policy to allow longer stay for investors, with the aim of attracting more businesses to the Virgin Islands, Governor Jaspert said.

Border management system kicking in shortly 

In addition, the Governor said, the new $6.4M border management system is to be enforced shortly and a number of systems will become online to make the department more efficient and effective.

This announcement coincides with an update from Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) who on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, said a test-run for the new system will take place ‘around November 15’.

Hon Wheatley said the Immigration Border Management System is expected to be fully operational by December 1, 2020, when the territory’s borders are set to officially reopen to tourists and international travellers.

13 Responses to “Swift fines for illegal immigrants under proposed amended Immigration Act”

  • money man (05/11/2020, 17:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is it going to get any better than this? People will have more money than they know what to do with.
  • Norris Turnbull (05/11/2020, 19:25) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Be careful with the abuse of process .
  • ReX FeRal (05/11/2020, 19:27) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    What will happen if an illegal immigrant cannot pay on the spot?
  • Nah (05/11/2020, 20:23) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is going to cause more corruption
  • E. Leonard (05/11/2020, 21:06) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Governor says, “ This frees up the court system from dealing with smaller cases and allows the Immigration Department to expedite issues while sending a strong message to those attempting to enter illegally,” Governor Jaspert explained.“ This may indeed free up the court to deal with bigger cases, expediting the adjudicating of cases. Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice should be perceived as fair, just and reasonable. Undoubtedly, the Immigration Department may be fair and reasonable in imposing fines. However, how will the alleged violators view the process? In my view, there should be an independent third party reviewing the cases and administering fines as deemed necessary. The Immigration Department apprehend violators and will also impose the fines. Is this a case of judge and jury? How about a special court to adjudicate Immigration and other related issues?
    • Tourism Training question (06/11/2020, 05:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Is everyone working in the tourism industry inspite of status are to be trained..
  • GG (05/11/2020, 22:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What jaconion law is this democracy where u judge, jury and executioner. Jaspert U agree with that.
    • Concerned issue (06/11/2020, 05:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      If a work permit is in to be processed and the immigration extension expired and the work permit still not approved but the person continues to work..Is that a crime and if it is who is guilty, the employer or the employee,....
      • Norris Turnbull (06/11/2020, 13:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Concerned issue. One must be in possession of a valid work permit and Entry Permit to work in the Virgin Islands. That's the law of the land.
      • Corona (08/11/2020, 16:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        are you referring to a corona virus date extension ?
  • Qusetion asker (05/11/2020, 23:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    E. leonard have ssked some good questions that need to be responded to. I will asks a few too to our our Leaders. 1.It is a highly suspicious that elegal immigrants have in the past have bribed immigration office monetarily and sexually. How would we be assured that such would not continue to accured? How can we be assured that the collecters of fine will not have in posession another receipt book, one to give to the eligal person or persons for cash collected, let say $25,000 in their own recept book, but in the Goverment provided receipt book shows, let say, $12,500.00? Elegal entry into a contry a country is not a petty crime, and should not be left to petty minded people. What prevention machanicism does the government have in place to insure us that some of the immigration officers don't have shares in some of the night bars and strip clubs? If they do, they will only will collect money after that they have let the exotics dancers in to work, then collect money, without receipt to show, and money to get. Don't you think that like you collect money for your services that also I deserve to paid money from our treasury bank for these consultant wise eye-openning questions? Are we truly practicing democracy by our actions, or are we crazily mocking the poor by our biss actions? Back to B.V.I. Genesis, immigration shoud nbe given the charge to find elegal immigrant, but they should not be allowed to collect the money, Too many millions of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ are already unaccounted for, and more likely will never be recovered.
  • Lipidee (06/11/2020, 13:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It looks like the BVI government will do just about EVERYTHING EXCEPT harshly punish their own home-grown smugglers . New Covid laws already amended and fines increased etc- no word on the penalties for being the boat captain or organizer. Tsk- Tsk


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