‘You have gotten my attention for amendments’- Premier Fahie
The meeting took place at the Office of the Premier, Central Administration Complex on Wickham's Cay I, Tortola, and was streamed live on the Government of the Virgin Islands Facebook page. The moderator was Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline.
“Strange urgency”
Persons were of the view that Premier Fahie had betrayed them and wanted to know what was the “rush” with granting eligible persons Residency and Belonger Status.
According to Attorney Mr Jamal S. Smith, he couldn’t understand the “strange urgency” by the Premier and also wanted to know whether the Attorney General, Baba F. Aziz was involved, as he wanted to know whether the ‘fast track initiative’ was breaching the constitution of the Virgin Islands.
Mr Smith also wanted the Amendments to the Immigration and Passport Act on the Order Paper for the Friday, May 17, 2019, House of Assembly (HoA) be removed until more consultations were done.
A Noreen Callwood-Lewis noted that status in the Virgin Islands was a privilege and not a right and the Premier should not be giving any unrealistic expectations to expats. She noted that she doesn’t have anything against expats but her forefathers would not have agreed to the ‘fast track initiative’.
“No peas & rice, only rice & peas”
Claudia Hodge, who said her ex-husband is from St Kitts, said she lived in the United States of America for almost 20 years but she has never seen expats feel so entitled like in the Virgin Islands. She also said the culture of the VI would be altered further as these days she can’t find any “peas and rice” to buy but only “rice and peas.”
She too felt “betrayed” by the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government as she said she had supported the VIP during the recent elections campaign trail.
Other persons expressed the fear that the VI would be overtaken and locals placed at a disadvantage.
Another sentiment was that when the hurricanes of September 2017 devastated the Virgin Islands, expats returned home but locals stayed and rebuild the Territory.
“I just love my country more than you” - Elton Callwood
Local businessman Elton Callwood noted there were other graver issues that the Government needed to address, such as the relationship with the United Kingdom.
He also expressed concern that local businesses would be made to compete with non-locals and lamented that he had already been outpaced in a certain business by an expat.
Mr Callwood pointed out too that locals are already subjected to degrading comments and monikers from expats and there is need to protect the Virgin Islander.
“People say LT don’t love the expats, I just love my country more than you, that’s all, and I am a patriot to my bone, to my marrow,” Mr Callwood said.
Talk show hosts Edmund G. Maduro and Julian Gordon also expressed their disapproval with the regularisation programme.
“We must find common ground”- Premier Fahie
A composed Premier Fahie began his response by stating he would never do anything to destroy the [British] Virgin Islands.
“I would never do anything to destroy my people, but we must find common ground to unite our people to face what’s ahead. If we do not find common ground we all will regret that we did not sit and find common ground.”
Reiterating that he would never purposely seek to disenfranchise anyone, Premier Fahie said he has met with many other VIslanders, both who were in support and against the regularisation initiative, and he was happy to meet with the concerned persons.
The Premier noted that immigration matters anywhere around the world are not simple topics but he was not prepared to do nothing. “In America, they are trying to solve theirs with a wall. We trying to solve ours by finding common ground.”
According to Honourable Fahie, doing nothing is not an option he intends to exercise, “but doing what is best for the Virgin Islands based on all that I have heard for the last two weeks. I will sit, my colleagues will sit, we will pray and I will pray and search as much as I can God’s heart for the balance for those who qualify because I have never guaranteed anyone in any meeting that they will get anything.”
"I sense what's ahead"
The Premier also made it known that many expats stayed after the hurricanes and also helped to rebuild. “Our people, yes we stayed here after the hurricane but we cannot ignore who have lived with us for many years that stayed with us also and did not leave, and helped us to rebuild the Virgin Islands,” Premier Fahie said, noting that he was not talking about persons who have been in the Territory less than 15 years. “To do nothing would not be the will of God.”
“I sense what’s ahead. I read these reports and the headlines sound good but the devil is in the details. You have to read them back over and see. There are certain language you see in the reports talking about the word right out rejected but later on they said declined to state so and so this at time. You have to watch those words,” Premier Fahie said, seemingly referring from correspondence from the United Kingdom to the Overseas Territories.
“You have to decide who we want to move forward with because if you move forward without uniting, without giving away the BVI but without uniting the BVI in a few years will not be how we feel we can hold it to if we don’t do something.”
Amendments will be brought to the HoA
Premier Fahie clarified that the Attorney General has advised his team “every step of the way” but noted that revised amendments to the Immigration and Passport Act will be brought to the House for debate on Friday. The amendments are necessary for the ‘fast track initiative’ to proceed.
“I know that persons have asked to cut out the first, second and third readings. It is not an illegal part of the House. But what I can say there is no doubt in my mind that there will be amendments due to persons’ strong views.”
“I must say we will review based on a lot of recommendations coming from you the public on how we want to deal with the matter. I agree that nothing is guaranteed to anyone who moves in a country. I want to say the Amendments will be something that will come forward and based on what we have discussed today, and among the other forums in the last two weeks. The amendments will further recognise how to handle the matter, what is it we need to adjust, what to eliminate and what we also need to do for the future.”
Premier Fahie said he apologised if persons felt his methodology was wrong but declared he had no apologies for what’s in his heart.
“I will end by saying you have gotten my attention for some amendments but I cannot leave from here saying on Friday I wouldn’t be putting forward the debate but I will leave from here by saying you have gotten my attention for some amendments that I feel is in the best interest of the BVI,” Premier Fahie concluded.
Meanwhile, the Premier also promised to respond to the other questions and comments of the 'group of concerned citizens' in writing by Thursday afternoon, May 16, 2019.
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40 Responses to “‘You have gotten my attention for amendments’- Premier Fahie”
They have a right to voice their views on such a weighty matter. If expats are to be rewarded with status, take time to do so effectively, not in the manner it is currently being done. You expats have your hidden agendas too ... get BVI status then move to next level. Some of you will be off to UK next ...
There is absolutely no doubt you are acting with your heart. There has been an issue for decades with the processing of deserving people for an upgrade with their status. What makes no sense is for this hasty two week period to crazily try to solve the matter. Please remember what happened to another Honorable member on a much smaller issue to do with traffic lights at the roundabout.
Please weigh up this matter very carefully to keep our respect.
GRACE. Now that is something we all (BVIlanders, Belongers and non-belongers alike) are in need of!
Cool I get it,
I don't belong can apply but won't as I already hold a UK passport, which is what most are chasing......
The locals need to be heard on this hiphosit decision that stands to negatively impact generations of our people yet unborn.
Why the big rush? Things that are done in haste are never done correctly.
According to the song that was often heard on the airwaves during the recently concluded USVI political campaign, 'yuh know wah you goh, but yuh ane know wah yuh goin' geh.'
She said, "Status in the V.I was a privilege and not a right.
Did Mrs Lewis read the law and the Constitution?
Section 16 of the Immigration and Passport Ordinance [a BVI Law made by parliament] makes provisions for expatriates who resided in the BVI for whatever length of time or are married to Virgin Islanders,or who are qualified under whatever circumstances to apply, if qualified, for belongers status in the V.I.
Therefore, it is written in law to become a belonger, so if it written in law, it is a awful-RIGHT to become a belonger.
Section 2[2] of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007 [The supreme law of the land] defines who belongs to the Virgin Islands.
In 2006-2007, The NDP Government included a "clause" to Buckingham Palace, which Her Majesty approved in the new Constitution, at the Court at Buckingham Palace on 13th June,2007, in the presence of the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council, to allow persons born outside the BVI, whose "GREAT-GREAT,grand-PARENTS" were BVIslanders.But in a law and policy,the NDP increased the years of qualification for expats residing in BVI.Why?
So,it is a Constitutional Right,for persons born outside the BVI whose G-G-G-Parents were BVIslanders, but expatriates residing in BVI for 15 years and more,does not have the RIGHT under section 16 of the IPO to become belongers? The VIP is on the right track to be fair to the people who reside in the BVI,
To the LAWYER:
It is lawful,for the Minister[with approval of cabinet] to apply to His Excellency the Governor to impose belonger status on any person whom the minister determines to be fit,proper and qualified for beloner status in the V.I.
The law, nor the Constitution made provisions for the minister to consult with the public before granting belongers status.Take it to parliament for debate..
Honourable Andrew Fahie is an Honourable human being.God save the BVI and the VIP.
I was extremely taken aback at how they went on about people from the eastern Caribbean! The islands that are closest to you to lend a helping hand in your time of need!!! BVI is part of the Caribbean why are we tearing down and treating our fellow Caribbean brothers and sister in this manner?
Nothing was said of the huge number of philipinos, Americans, brits who are here, and those are the people the planes were sent to evacuate from her after Irma.
Caribbean people, black people we have to unite. Premiere Fahie was right when he said this. Are we not seeing what Is happening on a daily basis in the US UK EU?
The hypocrisy of some of this people who are speaking on this topic is ridiculous. They are not even true BVI Islanders because they were not born on this soil. They are holders of dual citizenship. Their children are born on US soil and so they are able to go to the US and enjoy and take advantage of all the benefits that comes with US citizenship. Why can’t someone who has made the BVI their home for 20 plus years, pay taxes and be good peaceful persons in this country not get the opportunity to get their status regularized!!! STOP FIGHT WHAT ALLU YOU WOULD WANT FOR ALLU SELF AND ALLU CHILDREN If ALLU was in another mans country!!!!!!!!’
The Expats are saying BVI people are unfair, etc. I don't think that they are. I think they are uninformed and would like to know exactly how this will play out, after having time to make suggestions for how the process should be implemented. That's democracy. Its their country. Why cant they have a say? Can they have a say in how other countries are run? The short answer is no.
The further argument that BVI people have dual status - US/British. Why is that even an argument though? It's mere geography, and a maintained relationship with the UK that cultivates that. Most countries in the Caribbean had a similar opportunity to be British, and all the advantages that that affords but chose independence. How could that be an argument here now? By voting for self-determination, these countries made it harder to position themselves to be able to travel to the USA and the UK and by default, their children are not born there. How is this the BVI fault?
As it relates to regularization. Should persons in the territory be regularized? Yes, I think so, but it should be done in a manner which compliments many factors including the economy, size of country, impact on social welfare and culture, etc. Time lived in BVI is also an important consideration, but not a right. Valuable contribution to society is a better yardstick to measure by and any status conferred is a privilege. For clarification, a right cannot be revoked. Immigration status conferred can be revoked if certain factors are present and is therefore a privilege.
I have seen so many derogatory comments towards BVI people because they have spoken out about this matter. I am not from BVI and I think its interesting that expats say BVI people are prejudiced, wicked, etc but still live among and have children with them. If you are feeling disadvantaged, why stay? Why argue for what is not yours? I came here to experience something different and happen to love the place and the people I have met here. The day I feel anything like what is expressed in the blogs, is the day I decide to leave. I don't understand why persons would complain, berate, curse a place and its people but be fighting to remain there. Something is very wrong with that.
I will end with I hope the government AND the people of the territory can find a happy medium. I also hope that expats and BVI people alike come together and TALK about this matter. Spewing negativity and beating each other up virtually makes no sense. At the end of the day, its their country and we, having decided to come here, have to understand and respect that. If we cannot, then its time to leave. Simple.
issuing amnesty( for those who.qualify !) for residency solves the problem of people being conserned that they dont have security that their permits will be renewed each year and hence...dont " invest" in te territroy...so residency takes care of that.
giving belongership away so easily is dangerous for the people of the british virgin islands. i think that once residency is aprooved...then the wait period to apply for the privilage of belingership should.have been INCREASED from 2 year to 5 years (for those who qualify and have invested in the territory by way of owning a legitimate operating business...contributed the community....live here full time......) but with the assurance that they will be processed withing 6 months. dont give it all away VIP
This is not Us or The Uk , we are one of the smallest country in the world. Going to a country and working for money is that doing some thing for the country and not you. Premier we have some more serious issues in the BVI t. Stop making immigration our number 1 this is not the USA vs Mexico !!
As Chief Minister in April 2007, Doctor,the Hon. D Orlando Smith,as leader of the BVI Constitutional Negotiating Team to Buckingham Palace,wrote the following in an excerpt document,as an address to the nation.
On page 3 of 15 The then Chief Minister Dr.Smith wrote and I quote..["The new Constitution will make some significant changes to categories of persons deemed belong to the Virgin Islands while preserving status and rights already acquired. In relation to persons born (outside) the Virgin Islands,belonger status has (extended) to (include) the (second generation) of Virgin Islanders born (outside) the Territory. This cures the anomaly which exists in the present constitution and answers the call which was made loud and clear to ensure that such persons are deemed to belong to the Virgin Islands and to enjoy all rights attendant to such status"]..
It is written and it is a Constitutional-law,from 2007 -on, that the Great-Grand-Child of a Virgin Islander,born in Santo Domingo (for example) and who does not know where BVI is located on the Caribbean map,can come to the BVI as a 30 year-old adult, and say "Hey,my great-grand-father BORN HERE, I deem to belong HERE".
But law abiding expatriates who stayed with us in good times and bad times,through storms and hurricanes, etc for 15-20-25 years from teenagers to adults, from parents to grand parents in the BVI,and helped to build BVI, we saying these expats we see everyday,that they cannot become belongers? Consultation for what?
Hon, Andrew Fahie should say to all Virgin Islanders, "where there is no vision,my people will perish.
Give the law abiding expats residents their belonger status and residence status'
God will bless you..
CASE CLOSE..Next topic..
It is quite unfortunate how we fought amongst ourselves in the mean time our islands are being sold to the highest bidder. The future looks great ! soon only the rich will be able to live here . BVI please wake up , we have fallen asleep on the shores of "HATE".