‘We must have a serious discussion on immigration’ – Acting CIO
Trumpism is generally referred to as the policies advocated by US President Donald J. Trump, especially those involving a rejection of the current political establishment and the vigorous pursuit of American national interests.
“It’s closer to home than you think, and I think that we have to have a serious dialogue,” said the immigration boss, who did not delve into specifics.
Trumpism closer to home
Mrs Ritter-Freeman was a guest of the JTV Channel 55 Spotlight Show on Tuesday March 28, 2017 when the show’s host Cromwell Smith aka Edju En Ka asked if Trumpism is likely to have an effect on this territory.
While not having data at hand to support her take on the impact of ‘Trumpism’ on the immigration department of the territory, Mrs Ritter-Freeman said she believes there will be some impact. “I do believe that we (BVI) will have some kind of impact from what is taking place in the United States.”
She said her department has already begun to strengthen relationships between regional and local partners. “We have begun to have more meetings with our local law enforcement agencies, Customs and Police and so forth we believe that these relationships are important and we need to speak to each other.”
Serious discussion on Immigration needed
“I need to stress that we have to have a serious discussion about immigration…We must have a dialogue about it sooner than later,” she stressed. Ritter-Freeman said; however, that she is comfortable that the department has a good team at the ports of entry.
“I am very happy that the team at ports are vigilant, [but] we want to have more internal inspection of job sites…”
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43 Responses to “‘We must have a serious discussion on immigration’ – Acting CIO”
No entitlement to Permanent Residency
All guest workers and work permit holders in Bermuda irrespective of rank or seniority are required to sign a declaration acknowledging that they are not entitled to permanent residency on the Island. Those already in Bermuda were required to sign the declaration by April 30, 2013. The declaration policy was introduced to allay fears of a potential surge in permanent residency applications from guest workers who can, if their work permits to do so are renewed, now remain employed in Bermuda indefinitely. But not if they are not in work-permit approved employment or if their work permit is revoked.
British laws do not apply in Bermuda, Bermudian laws do. Note how the work permit and term limit policies work, because they are not the same thing.
Non-Bermudians - sometimes known as expatriates - are only allowed a Work Permit for one employer, not several. This is a Bermuda-only stipulation that is not in effect in the USA or Canada or Europe or most other places. It means that non-Bermudians are not allowed to work for more than one employer, so cannot act as employers of or consultants to any other Bermuda-based employer or entity.
Non-Bermudians and their families are usually required to leave the island if/when they lose their jobs.
Non-Bermudians allowed Work Permits in Bermuda are not allowed to emigrate to Bermuda. Instead, they come for as long as they are approved for a Work Permit, then must leave unless they marry and co-habit with a Bermudian and are permitted to stay because of that and can wait 10 years to become a Bermudian as the direct result of that same enduring marriage.
Work permits are granted for anywhere from one year to a current five-year maximum for most, subject always to the prior approval of the Bermuda Work permit authority. They are not long-term international assignments often given to professionally qualified staff and their families.
Too much phillipinos! !!!! They are getting permit too easy taking all the jobs from locals , some simple jobs what local can do
But on a real, ask the people who issue the work permit to be processed by govt, ask the locals or the young people that when labor called them for jobs opening they say I don't want to work as a cleaner or cashier. You can't begin to talk racism when you don't know what's the inner issue at hand. Simply the labor in the country are weak to low standard of thinking.
same jobs what the locals think are beneath them.
Guy Hill treatment is not Ms. Ritter-Freeman issue. Nonetheless, Guy Hill, DCIO, is a highly qualified on immigration issues. Hopefully, he is being engaged in the discussion. Guy was put out to pasture, for he is principled and not a yes man lackey. How he was treated is despicable. But what goes around comes around. And when it comes around, it is attributed to high science. It is not; it is our bad deeds. Up street rocks!
Almost everywhere in the industrialised world, immigration is a hot political issue. But can the BVI handle it? Is it a benefit or burden – what’s the reality? Do foreign workers outnumber the local labour force? Are they contributing more to taxes than they receive from social benefits? Is there enough work for both locals and foreigners? Understanding these impacts is important for a small island nation like the BVI.
We however must recognize that most foreign workers come to the BVI for a very understandable reason, to try to better their lives, and that many do make a positive contribution to our communities and to society. The issue however is the scale that the foreign workforce has now reached with serious consequences for the size of our minute population and for the ability of our public services to cope with such. Everyone wants to see it reduced, but how do we tackle it, and how soon...when is enough really enough! #wakeupBVI#
Since my days as an Immigration Officer, the population has skyrocketed from approximately 10,000 to approx 40,000. In the 50s-70s, all roads led to the USVI, especially St. Thomas. Now, the roles have changed; all roads seem to lead to the BVI. Currently, there are approximately 100+ nationalities residing in the VI.
Undoubtedly, immigration policy had to and must changed commensurate with the territory's needs and its growth and development. Realizing that the territory is small, policy(s) has to reflect the needs on the ground. Further, policy(s) has to be flexible, practical and realistic to meet the territory's needs, yet minimize social disruptions and frictions.
Moreover, an immigration discussion is definitely needed. In my opinion, Guy Hill should be tapped to lead a task force to explore improving immigration services. Guy has the knowledge, skill, ability, training and experience to effectively lead the task force. Too often we falsely believe that external suggestions are always better internal suggestions. This is a myth. If the talent is available locally to effectively execute a task, why not give locals the opportunity to excel.