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Task force to 'flush out' persons without proper immigration status- Hon Wheatley

- said Territory has been very lenient but laws must be upheld
Persons without proper immigration status are being encouraged to visit the Immigration Department. Photo: VINO/File
While pointing out that his ministry has been extremely lenient, Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said the time has come to rid the Virgin Islands of persons who are living and working illegally since the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: SSB/File
While pointing out that his ministry has been extremely lenient, Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said the time has come to rid the Virgin Islands of persons who are living and working illegally since the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: SSB/File
Acting Chief Immigration Officer Mr Ian B. Penn has urged persons to avoid taking advantage of the situation brought on by COVID-19, such as not having flights to their home country. Photo: VINO/File
Acting Chief Immigration Officer Mr Ian B. Penn has urged persons to avoid taking advantage of the situation brought on by COVID-19, such as not having flights to their home country. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While pointing out that his ministry has been extremely lenient, Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said the time has come to rid the Virgin Islands of persons who are living and working illegally since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking on Sunday, September 13, 2020, on a live Zoom meeting on Facebook, Hon Wheatley said despite the leniency; there are still a number of persons not up to par with their immigration status.

“There are a lot of persons who are here without the proper status, without proper time, their times have expired, or they are here as visitors, and they are working. We are asking persons not to do that.”

He continued: “Also there are persons who came in for Mary Jane who are working for John Doe and so forth, all those things are illegal, and we are asking persons to desist from those kinds of behaviour. In about a week time, we are going to have another task force that is going to be set up to flush these people out.”

Please abide by the law

The Minister then beseeched such persons to comply with the laws of the land.

“I don’t want to see anybody being affected by this, so I am asking persons, please abide by the current laws that we have. We have been very, very lenient but we cannot continue to be lenient, we are a country of laws. Because of COVID-19, we have been very, very lenient but we still cannot condone illegal activities in the country. If you know you are here illegally, make your way to Immigration so we can know when you plan to leave.”

Don’t take advantage of the situation

Meanwhile, Acting Chief Immigration Officer, Mr Ian B. Penn urged persons to avoid taking advantage of the situation brought on by COVID-19, such as not having flights to their home country.

“If you are found out there working illegally, or you are here in the country overstaying, there is a penalty. We are putting things afoot to deal with this and stamp it out altogether. It is better that you come in and we deal with you than we have to come out and find you doing these things,” he said.

51 Responses to “Task force to 'flush out' persons without proper immigration status- Hon Wheatley”

  • son of the soil (14/09/2020, 09:12) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
    Well it is about time and while you are at it, let us put up a lil reward for these law breakers so that the whistle can be blown on them
    • Benjamin (14/09/2020, 23:53) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Everyone should post the areas that have people hiding out who are here illegally and Locals are hiding them. How else could they be getting away hiding on family land? Let me say Josiah's Bay.
  • Its about Dam Time (14/09/2020, 09:13) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply
    The first place they need to start is on the street in front rite way in town. Every morning and Friday afternoon.
    • @ about time (14/09/2020, 11:24) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      I second that motion right in front immigration face day in day out and nothing being done some folk show up here and turning the place in a ghetto
      • Straight (14/09/2020, 16:44) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
        All dem man on the corner by Rite Way got BVI passports or they won’t be standing there.
    • @about Dam Time (14/09/2020, 14:16) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
      U really think the people so stupid to stand in front Rite Way and their papers not straight.
  • ABC (14/09/2020, 09:14) Like (11) Dislike (9) Reply
    Good job Vincent
  • YES! (14/09/2020, 09:16) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
    Start in East End! I know of a few who are here illegally. To many Spanish illegals in East End. Place need cleaning up mehson!
  • about time (14/09/2020, 09:23) Like (20) Dislike (9) Reply
    The unit needs to check out every construction site, and all the Spanish bars, to start off with. That may fill up a couple of flights to the DR before the end of the week.
    I would be happy to be stopped 5 times a day by the immigration task force to check my belonger status.
  • FREE ADVICE (14/09/2020, 09:26) Like (30) Dislike (5) Reply
    I hope ayo hire serious people like guy hill them so who love their country and wont allow it to go to the dogs
  • waste (14/09/2020, 09:39) Like (22) Dislike (27) Reply

    A waste....  Lot of others dont have permit, working withoit permit.. only caribbean people the BVI government got strength for... A total waste...

    • Local (14/09/2020, 10:04) Like (30) Dislike (16) Reply
      @waste why is it that when this government put its foot down you people talking rubbish about only caribbean people the BVI government got strenght for , every other country taking a stance on illegal persons look at Dominica ,St maarten ,Trinidad , Barbados and the big USA but our government must allow the BVI to be stepping ground and play ground to all outsiders to do as they like . My advise to you if you not happy with this government policies you can return to where ever you came from simple as that.
      • @local (14/09/2020, 11:38) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
        There you go. Exactly, I want the task force to make one of there first visit down Sea Cows Bay. There is a group of illegal Santos renting a house up Trellis Falls AKA Porter Ghut.
        • @@local (14/09/2020, 13:14) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
          then call the police and immigration and tell them exactly where they are insted of whining like a lil bitch on here
          • @@local (14/09/2020, 14:39) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
            Don’t get caught when the Immigration make the bust you LIL BITCH, you tight because your spot got snitched on. The Immigration and police know. Sea Cows Bay AKA LITTLE SANTO DOMINGO AKA BEST LITTLE WHORE VILLAGE ON THE ISLAND.
      • No Name (20/09/2020, 11:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Leave dominica out of your comments in dominica we do run no one out nor critize people we treat people good nobody is better than the other we all are God children do what you have to do but don't include dominica in your comment
    • Peaches (14/09/2020, 11:54) Like (35) Dislike (29) Reply
      You must be guilty. The Minister did not mention any particular island. He made a very broad statement by saying, if you know you are not from here and you are working here illegally, it is time to stop it! Come in and deal with us. too long the BVI has been a "FREE FOR ALL." It is time that this stops. Times has changed, this virus has changed up the entire world and governments around the world cannot afford to have all kinds of people in the country that are undocumented. It is time for a clean up! You all need to respect our Government!

      Also, the government need crank down on the issuing of so much work permits. The only work permits that should be issued now are for specialty jobs that a BVIslander may not have the qualification for. We need to start to hire our own people!
  • Island (14/09/2020, 10:51) Like (6) Dislike (16) Reply
    Come to Anegada check the first buiding work thats illegal you come to and check all the workers , job done.
  • rewrsdffds (14/09/2020, 11:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ok then
  • ready (14/09/2020, 11:15) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Check EVERY bar in sea cows bay and the whore house right by the road across from the community center.
  • Defe (14/09/2020, 11:54) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    @Local
    You’re right, too many come here thinking it okay to disrespect us and nothing be done about it. If they don’t like our rules they are free to leave and this is where the problem come in. Many only here for the money so leaving is not an option sometime but instead of behaving themselves they act the fool. Have nothing against the hard working law abiding ones. They are many of The Who help to make the BVI what it is. On the other hand they are those who do nothing but bring problems causing shame and embarrassment to the country and fellow citizens. Those we don’t need here.

    If your paper straight, you have nothing to worry about. While you checking by VQ check the ghetto and by bass. Also send persons committed to the well being of the land. Not those officers willing to sell us out by sleeping with their female family members to allow them to stay and just getting into trouble. Should be ashamed of themselves doing this to them. No kind a pride nor ambition. Sad to say.
    • Peaches (14/09/2020, 12:54) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Defe you are so right. I hope that the right Task Force officers are chosen and I also hope that non of them male officers from Labour are chosen. Couple of years ago I was witness to two of them visiting an apartment (one after the next) in the night where a certain young lady was living. We need those that will carry out the law handed down by the Minister and the government, not those who will sell out our country for some free S*x.
  • Windy (14/09/2020, 12:15) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's BEEN the law ! all the past governments have been to lazy to enforce it; All illegals I say time to leave
  • Observer (14/09/2020, 12:25) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr.Minister I commend you on this initiative in forming a task force to look into persons status in the country. Many countries has gone this way to deal with unemployment. Please get a serious person like Hill to lead the team. Look at East End first.
  • Weak leaders (14/09/2020, 12:33) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    They stamp up.on the vunurable.... These policies / laws are not executed fairly... They sending home Caribbean brothers and sisters. A set of cocasions Are here working without permit.. or permit renewal...real talk... serious thing.
    • Norris Turnbull (15/09/2020, 05:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @weak Leaders... Did you fact check this?.Are you willing to inform the task force of your findings? IF NOT THEN SHUT UP.
    • MONK (17/09/2020, 01:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Caribbean brothers and sisters stab you in the back several time before they are through. Brothers and sisters my ass.
  • thank you (14/09/2020, 12:39) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply

    Thank you Government of VI.

    Please start by flushing out those without work permits at the Go*****’s O+++++e.

    They seem to make a point of only hiring white non belongers there...

    Why???

    We all know how racist Emperor A********** is, no wonder he has a whites only policy there!

    On our necks, taking our jobs....

  • Excess (14/09/2020, 13:07) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    Fair is fair...if you on work permit and your employer have no work for you take a break and leave the country until work available. You can and will return but for now take a break and go home and get other things organize then later you can return
  • Covid 19 (14/09/2020, 13:23) Like (9) Dislike (20) Reply
    covid 19 is a wake up call let’s clean up the territory come to work secure the documents: far to many have no documents to work I am sure you will not want VI people going to your country with disrespect for your citizen or the laws of your country.....should those in the territory and being disrespectful be blame or the department responsible
  • island man (14/09/2020, 13:34) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    U no the amount of we that want to go an can't get a flight so plz put we on a flight and we will gald to leave
    • ReX FeRal (15/09/2020, 05:45) Like (2) Dislike (21) Reply
      @Island man. Your statement is not factual. Not many of u socalled Island people leave the bvi voluntarily..That's a fact.
  • Rubber Duck (14/09/2020, 13:48) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Plenty of illegals in the late bars and clubs. But no one wants to do anything about it. Meanwhile honest workers are persecuted because their employer stole the tax, social and health payments.
    • Norris Turnbull (17/09/2020, 01:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Bars and clubs are closed so what the hell are you instigating? Fact check and report to the task force concerned citizen.
  • NB (14/09/2020, 14:59) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mister Minister Sir, there is a better way to speak. You want to 'flush out' humans? Ya'll ain't easy
  • it time (14/09/2020, 16:03) Like (5) Dislike (18) Reply
    Josiah’s bay also needs a thorough checking everywhere. People are living in abandon hoses and bushes .
    • Greg (15/09/2020, 15:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ it time.. Hahha, you hit a nerve for these illegals. For those of you who checked off dislike, that mean you are hiding out and just brought attention to yourselves. See the dumb ones always give themselves away instead of being quiet. LMAO.
  • P (14/09/2020, 16:15) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    The day's Mr Walters & Mr hill was in immegraton department Tortola was in control not now all those there don't know what time it is sorry to say in the day's of them two young man when u over stay man use to sleep with one I eye shut and one open serious business cous
  • Just Checking (14/09/2020, 16:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    When u enter a country u get a month to stay immigration keep a copy of the time a follow up on it are this still available
  • Serious (14/09/2020, 16:37) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
    Them two Walters Mr hill clean up tola by then self no task force them was the task force
  • mildred (14/09/2020, 17:18) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
    we need back mr hill he is the man for the job
  • My input (14/09/2020, 20:28) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
    From what i see and heard. Most of these bars and clubs have they workers living near or on the same site of the bar/club.

    What need to be done. They need to have warrant on hand and enter some of these bars that have people living there.

    Cause I know a lot of them here on visit stay and working. And i think when police and immigration go checking these bars. If they find people there who over stay their time. Fine the bar owners as well. Cause they should of known the status of the people who are working in the bar.

    Just my input
  • Greatness (14/09/2020, 21:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Use that same food distribution app that was distributing goods through the 24hr lock down to find where most of them are living and their names...and one by one type them in the system.
  • Norris Turnbull (15/09/2020, 05:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Walters and Hill did their dam job the way it was supposed to be done. They were very fair with people but thats not spoken about.
  • No free lunch (15/09/2020, 10:42) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    What about employers (belongers) who hire people unlawfully here? Should there not be consequences for them? And, belonger landlords renting to them? While it may be seen as beneficial to boot out so-called illegals, it will come at a price. Fewer tenants to pay mortgages, fewer consumers to frequent stores, bars etc., and quite possibly fewer skilled workers in construction.
    • mickey (15/09/2020, 16:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Life will continue whether to expats go or stay.

      Follow the proper procedures and you have nothing to fair. You can't be in a country, no where in the world, without proper documentation.

      Do the right thing or ship out!
      • Right ting (16/09/2020, 07:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @mikey: what about locals who don’t do the right thing? As in hiring people without work permits or correct paperwork? Should they be immune to the laws of the land?
  • Norris Turnbull (17/09/2020, 01:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Meanwhile, Acting Chief Immigration Officer, Mr Ian B. Penn urged persons to avoid taking advantage of the situation brought on by COVID-19, such as not having flights to their home country.
    HOW THE HELL DO YOU AVOID THIS?


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