Children ‘born here’ not of VI parents must be embraced- Hon Walwyn
“I am asking all of us who would be a part of the Third House of Assembly to summon the courage from within for us to finally address and resolve this matter in the best interest of this country,” Hon Walwyn challenged.
This call was made in the open air atmosphere last night May 16, 2015 before a large crowd of persons gathered at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza to hear what the At Large candidates on the NDP slate had to say ahead of the national elections.
While noting that “family conversations” can get a bit uneasy, “and this might just be one of those moments,” he said that in order for the VI to be a great country everyone has to feel that they are a part of the VI society.
“Nothing gives a Virgin Islander more pride these days than to hear the words of our territorial song and recall the struggles and endurance of our people. But what does that sound mean to a child that’s born here that has to get time at immigration despite being born right here, up the road at Peebles hospital?” asked Hon Walwyn.
He put the question out asking if the child, despite being ‘born here’, feels the same sense of pride hearing the words of the territorial song. “Are they planning to be the best student they can be to make this country proud or are they feeling as though they are being pushed to the outskirts of a country that they too would like to call home?
“Virgin Islands family we must find a way to address this matter that plagues the consciousness of generations of Virgin Islanders. We want to build a nation where all our people feel wanted and needed and where they understand the same types of responsibility required from all citizens,” he said, adding that’s what has made the USA the great country that it is today.
Excluding ‘members’ from society could affect development
The NDP candidate also noted that this elections is not about whether the voters of the Virgin Islands like him, the NDP or either the VIP but rather this elections is about choosing a path for the Virgin Islands that would have effects on the country today “and the effects it would have on the lives and opportunities for any five year old child in the Virgin Islands today and perhaps even their children,” said Hon Walwyn.
He said in order for the VI to be truly shaped it’s important to continue to work on the existing socio economic challenges. “We realise that when some members of our society feel excluded from the majority it can affect significant issues for the development of our society on the whole,” he said.
Hon Walwyn made similar call before
It was in July 1, 2013 that Hon Walwyn had also made the call for all children born in the Virgin Islands to automatically be made citizens of the territory.
The remarks had come amidst inaugural observations for Territory Day held at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park.
According to Hon Walwyn at the time, “If a child is born on United States soil, that child immediately becomes an American citizen, with all the rights thereto appertaining. I dare say that this should be the case in every part of the world, including the Virgin Islands.” The Minister’s proposal had received resounding applause from the audience.
The Education Minister had also questioned the purpose of the British Nationality Act, calling it more divisive than unifying in this age and suggested that it be removed.
“In these times we cannot continue on the path of division rather we must unite for the development of one Virgin Islands. That act may be useful in other parts of the British Empire, but it remains an issue of bitterness in our progress to build one Virgin Islands. I think it is time for that act to become a thing of the Virgin Islands past.”
Meanwhile, the other persons on the NDP list of Territorial At-Large candidates are Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton and At-Large representative without a portfolio Honourable Archibald C. Christian.
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57 Responses to “Children ‘born here’ not of VI parents must be embraced- Hon Walwyn”
We are in great need of fixing this issue before it gets out of control. Workers are not rotated in and out of the country as they should be to avoid these immigration matters and our children will suffer one day for your lack of concern for your country’s resources. This is not the UK or USA our resources are few and cannot be shared by the world and their children. If we continue in this direction our country will fall because our pie is small ‘too small for the world to share’ although it appeals to the world because it is bought and sold with US Currency…’which makes it much more appealing to the masses’.
The only person feeling and spreading bitterness about the British Nationality Act is Myron. Every country have laws that we all must abide by. Stop making the public feel that the BVI can resend that Act and stop comparing the BVI to the USA. The USA can absorb the number of immigrants moving there, here in the BVI we are already over populated and bursting at the seams. The United Kingdom is not the only country to have such an law, many other countries do, Italy for example have a similar law.
At least the BVI allows expatriates to give birth in the Territory unlike some of our fellow British Territories like Cayman Islands and Bermuda to name a few. Every child born in the British Virgin Islands to expatriates eventually get their full citizenship at the appropriate time as set out in the law. Those who don't like it to need to give birth elsewhere.
The promotion of disdain against the British Nationality Act need to stop. Instead the leaders of this Territory should be educating the public about the Act so that they can be aware of the necessary steps that are to be taken to ensure that their children obtain their documents in a timely manner.
For those who say that this is a UK Law and there is nothing that can be done they are not aware of the history of how Lawmakers had to negotiate with UK Officials to enact our constitution via a UK Statutory instrument. The last time there was an amendment was in the 2007 when our Legislative Council was changed to the House of Assembly and the Chief Minister was now to be known as the Premier and a Bill of rights was added. Provision 30 states clearly that the Legislature should enact laws that protect our children from neglect. The UK act can be seen as neglectful of children. If the Constitution can be amended not once but 4 times why can the UK Nationality Act as it applies to us?
I do not believe that either party has the will to lobby England for changes to this law. One or two might speak out but it is not the will of the majority of either Party as they are some interest groups who financially support these parties who like the law as it is. That is the reality. If the law's intention was to prevent persons from coming to the UK/Overseas Territories to have children just to get a passport then the law can be amended to allow passports to be issued for children who are born here from expatriate parents who have been here for 2-3 years minimum. Compromise can be met in that regard.
The Children did not make that choice so why should they be ostracized for it? What if the Countries where the parents from enact laws that prevent children born outside of their shores from becoming Nationals until 18. So we will have a child with no known Nationality, no passport, no identity. How heartless.
The prosperous BVI today was built with the help of immigrants and we must embrace it, not deny it. This is a battle started by those who use the indigenous title and they clearly do not want others to encroach on their beloved BVI. Well hello...They have already done that and for the most part for the betterment of the Country. Give the Children their rights.
So you see Myron your perception is all wrong. It isn't that they are not wanted here. The tiny size of the island, the resources and infrastructure can not handle an overwhelming population.
OK Walwyn. That is the law of the United States of America.
When did the people who born in the BVI of BVI parents became British citizens Walwyn?
Only just a few year sago. We used to be British SUBJECTS, Dependent Territory Citizen, Overseas Territory Citizen.
The writers of the Territorial song were born here of expat parents, so if they have it in them to Penn such a song, what is this now about how people feel? Life is real. A lot of time some expat parents drill negativity in the heads of their born here children and some of those children grow with a bad attitude and look of the same country they were born in even when their parents are granted the Belonger Status. But be aware Mr.Walwyn, the issue need addressing but all of you all have dropped the all on this. Colonialism and other isms and skizms are still in place. Seize the time. Immigration and status will always be political. Be careful of the politics of immigration control.
He only concern of taking over the VI that he is spitting out #$&t how he expect to change the law we have to respect the laws of the land we are govern by the UK children born after 1999are in title to a passport bald head.
Myron haul your @$$ go ANTIGUA with that £$%% not the BVI. WE ARE GOVERNED BY UK LAWS AND YOU DAM WILL KNOW GO ANTIGUA WITH THAT £$%%^. I LIVE IN ANTIGUA FROM A CHILD AND COULD NOT GET BELONGER STAY I HAD TO COME BACK HOME. I SCHOOL THERE AND EVERTYTING BUT COULD NOT GET BELONGER HERE. SO CART YOUR £$%%
The U.S. is 3.8 million square miles; the VI is approximately 60 square miles spread among some 36 islands, islets and rocks. He knows that the UK does not have jus soli or automatic birthright citizenship. Since 2004 no European country grants unconditional birthright citizenship. Jus soli is observed by a minority of countries. Of major developed countries, only Canada and U.S. has it. Most countries have jus sanguinis or parental citizenship.
Immigration/external workers was and is vital to VI growth and development. But as is the case in larger countries controlling the conferring some rights must be done in a planned and deliberate process. Birthright citizenship is not denied altogether, for it can be granted at 18 years. I can only pretend to understand the frustration of those affected and the interest of those with similar national origin.
But we must put politics aside and pierce into the rationale and reason for the policy. The policy was intended for orderly political, economic and social growth and advancement. Large countries can accomodate jus soli seamlessly and minimal to no social disruption. And even so many do not. Any country cannot just plan for today; it has to also plan for tomorrow and the day after.
Wonder why Walwyn having been in HOA for 3.5 years have not brought legislation to the floor to grant jus soli? Would it have something to fo with the BNA? Has he taken up the issue with the FCO? What is the NDP take on the issue? What is the other OTs doing? Walwyn know that the UK BNA 1981 and other amendments to serve their own interest just as he is pandering for his own interest. Stop the pandering for votes! The VI has plethora issues that candidates can campaign on.
Let’s soar on the wings of eagles, not led off the cliff as buffalos