UPDATE: 8 captured illegal immigrants still in custody

- No direct diplomatic ties with Cuba increases challenges for repatriation

March 7th, 2014 | Tags: RVIPF Cubans Balsum Ghut Ian B. Penn

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Acting Deputy Chief Immigration Office Mr Ian B. Penn has confirmed that the absence of direct diplomatic ties with Cuba is a challenge for repatriation of illegal immigrants. Photo: VINO/File

Police have confirmed that 8 persons have been held at Balsam Ghut following a sweep at Peter Island yesterday March 1, 2014. Photo: VINO/File

Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Public Relations Officer Ms Diane Drayton confirmed that four men and four women, Cuban nationals, have been held following the Peter Island operation yesterday March 1, 2014. Photo: Fodor.com

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The eight (8) illegal immigrants from the March 2, 2014 sweep of Peter Island by the Virgin Islands Immigrations and Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) are currently still in custody on these shores as their repatriation process proves challenging.

This is because of the fact that the Virgin Islands (VI) does not have direct diplomatic ties with Cuba according to newly appointed Acting Deputy Chief Immigration Office Mr Ian B. Penn. This was explained to this news site while seeking to confirm the status of the four men and four women who were caught illegally on the local island.

Mr Penn explained that especially as it relates to Cubans the VI usually have to work on a third party arrangement to return the Cuban nationals to their homeland often times working with other Caribbean Territories who have existing diplomatic ties with Cuba.

He said that at the moment as the eight continue to be in custody at the Immigration detention centre at Balsam Ghut, every possible diplomatic option for repatriation is being explored at the moment. “It’s usually a tedious process,” Mr Penn noted.

He said that passing the group through the court system is not among the options that are being considered at this time but they are looking at all other safe diplomatic channels to return them safely to their homeland.

See previous story published March 2, 2014:

Police sweep caught 8 illegal Cubans on Peter Island

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - A sweep at Peter Island yesterday March 1, 2014, resulted in members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) flushing out eight (8) persons who were illegal on Peter Island.

hose currently in the Immigration Detension Centre at Balsam Ghut are four male and four female nationals of Cuba. This was confirmed by both RVIPF and Her Majesty's Prison sources.

More will be made public as it becomes available.

33 Responses to “UPDATE: 8 captured illegal immigrants still in custody”

... (02/03/2014, 10:27) Like (22) Dislike (4) Reply
BVI IS STILL THE LAND OF MILK AND HONEY
- @ ... (02/03/2014, 14:24) Like (19) Dislike (6) Reply
  no more with the NDP in power its HELL on earth!!!
- Lost at Sea (02/03/2014, 15:20) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
  The Cubans are NOT headed to the BVI. For over half a century the USA has offered preferential treatment to Cuban refugees. Cuba is still a communist country. It's people are limited in their goals and aspirations. Imagine having to line up for toothpaste and such as goods are rationed. Imagine living in a building which lost its roof during a hurricane and not being able to move elsewhere because everyone is allocated a home and there are waiting lists for apartments. Imagine not being able to own a car and hitch hiking with everyone else in your neighbourhood everyday or hanging onto the outside of the bus to get to work. For some people living in Cuba is a limitation on their freedom, their dreams. They seek rather to make it to the US shores because the Cuban Adjustment Act establishes that any Cuban arriving in US territory, even illegally, and residing there for one year can receive from the status of permanent resident in the United States. They are allowed to work for more than they could earn in Cuba, live in better conditions than in Cuba etc. They were not headed to the BVI with dreams of being held in custody and returned to their homeland. They landed on the wrong island.
  - TO; LOST AT SEA (02/03/2014, 18:10) Like (1) Dislike (14) Reply
    if you were the boat capt then turn your self in
    - Lost at Sea (03/03/2014, 01:25) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      I don't even know why you would make such a stupid comment. Just because I point out some facts as to why the Cubans were NOT heading to the BVI. Anyone with half a brain would realize the land of milk and honey being sought is not ours.
- Locally made (02/03/2014, 16:09) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
  Where is the milk and honey? I will very much like to know. The BVI is no better off than anywhere. We might be a bit more fortunate than some other places but I am sure they can survive better than us because they are more self-sufficient. We are not, because we have to depend on outside for everything, think about it.
  - Well Sah (02/03/2014, 17:55) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply
    De only thing the bvi have over de other islands is dat they using de US " DOLLAR ". Let dem stop an see a joke !
  - bvi (03/03/2014, 18:33) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Check Rite Way. They have lots of milk and honey. lmao
Operation Wet Foot/Dry Foot (02/03/2014, 12:54) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
Under U.S. law the Cuban refugees will stay winning. They shall be released so they can pursue their lives.
Concerned (02/03/2014, 13:41) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
Wow this is not good but I thought it was an immigration detention/holding centre (not customs)
Dontknow (02/03/2014, 14:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
Were they working at the resort or hiding in the bushes living off the land?
Fedel (02/03/2014, 14:27) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
let my people go!!
stay (02/03/2014, 16:29) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
Don't send them back, give the oppertunity to stay. Life is hard in Cuba.
zoe (02/03/2014, 16:56) Like (18) Dislike (5) Reply
I think that these pple should be giving the opportunity to start there lives , I know its very hard to go back home , let's make a change doing this , let's change someone life around .
- Eh? (02/03/2014, 19:46) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
  Girl we need help to change many BVIslanders lives right now with the actions of this present government administration. Then again they may treat the illegal Cubans better than their own people.
Rosa (02/03/2014, 17:49) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
Give them the oportunity of freedom dont send them back to cuba. They deserve better... Freedom for the 8 cuban's in the island..
concern (02/03/2014, 18:07) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
Pleas let dem stay , they will be killed or put in prison if the go back , anywhere else but cuba , let's be our brothers keeper , they made it thus far , give them a chance pls
- hmmmmm too.... (03/03/2014, 09:24) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
  @concern...it is so funny that you are saying that!!! because the people that are here legally are always referred to as "send them home they not from here" however, you would like the illegally ones to stay!!!
church (02/03/2014, 18:10) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
i feel bad for deeds ppl
stay2 (02/03/2014, 18:25) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
DONT SEND again to the major prision of the world like it is Cuba. They deserve to have the possibility of starting knowing the freedom .... DONT SEND THEM BACK TO CUBA
Love (02/03/2014, 18:31) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
FREEDOM FOR THE CUBAN'S IN THE ISLAND
Scary Mary (03/03/2014, 08:38) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
I am not against letting the Cubans stay, but I am amazed that in the past, people have been so unkind to others such as the many Haitians who have landed here! Some of you couldn't wait to send them home.

Many people in many places seek better lives and better opportunities. What makes the Cubans different from anyone else? I'm really curious!
- Good VI (03/03/2014, 22:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
  To Scaru Mary, People in the Virgin Islands has not been unkind to Haitians, There are a few who will talk stuff, but for the most part I know personally local people have reached out to Haitian. When the boat of haitian came in and some had drown, people here reached out to the parents on the boat who lost children and love one. We are a small island and we can't keep everyone, but we are not hartless. I knew person who went around and collected necessary items (deodorant, lotion, towel, soap, cream tooth paste, tooth brush, clothes, etc. )for them. Locals went to the funeral of their dead to support them. I beleive, but not certain, that a few was given to oppertuntiy to stay.
  - Scary Mary (04/03/2014, 13:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good VI, I am well aware of how some persons helped the Haitians. I also understand that we can't keep everyone who lands here illegally.
    
    What I don't understand is the spate of overwhelming support for the Cubans! This has never happened before. Is there something new in the water or is it one or two people posting as many? It certainly isn't characteristic of BV Islanders!
- tola (07/03/2014, 13:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
  You have to look at the bigger picture . If they are allowed to stay 2 things will happen . 1. they will eventually back track to USVI because their long term goal is to reach American soil. Many other Cubans will follow using BVI as a transit point. If you think you have plenty Spanish now ,wait until then and you will see numbers that will make it difficult for our resources to handle. Finally the USA will react by altering the freedom( NO VISA ) with which BVI nationals enter USVI. Other countries have experienced this.
JACK BE STILL (03/03/2014, 09:25) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
they got trick thinking they were in st thomas
Positive (05/03/2014, 15:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
Thank God for the solid rock that is forever being cursed, that many can find it, though not on the MAP to get them where they are going!
food stamps (07/03/2014, 09:05) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
oh well i guess we have to feed them a while longer
Skatta (07/03/2014, 10:21) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
Someone plz ask the government to let this set stay plz plz
Have a heart (07/03/2014, 11:57) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
VINO why u guys ain't speak to the Cubans yet?? They begging for media attention!!!! They waiting on u guys!!! CALL THEM ASAP!!!
l (07/03/2014, 11:59) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
Do some research on Cuba. I mean some unbiased research. Cuba is not as bad as the media makes it seem.
tola (07/03/2014, 13:24) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
Please buy one way tickets to Cuba for these people. SEND THEM BACK ON A FLIGHT VIA ST MARTEEN.
egg face (07/03/2014, 13:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
Just let them go we need some Spanish teachers

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UPDATE: 8 captured illegal immigrants still in custody

33 Responses to “UPDATE: 8 captured illegal immigrants still in custody”

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