Geraldine Ritter-Freeman Out! Ag CIO back to Premier’s Office by March
It is unclear what lead to the decision, but following the Hurricanes of September 2017 her Department has come under heavy criticism and have dominated the headlines over poor service, long lines and even the Department checking homes to verify the living conditions of applicants before clearances for visas to remain in the Territory were issued.
Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL), whose portfolio is Immigration, has since announced that the house checking policy has been scrapped.
Meanwhile, former Acting Chief Immigration Officer, Virgin Islander Ian B. Penn, who has a law degree, is expected to take over from April 1, 2018, according to the same source.
What about Guy M. Hill?
When our newsroom asked about Guy M. Hill, the longstanding Deputy, who is also a qualified Virgin Islander, we were told “We believe he will be retiring at the end of next month.”
Mr Hill has been overlooked many times for the position of Chief Immigration Officer and it is said he is the most experienced law enforcement officer in the Territory.
Many supporters and local nationalists defended Mrs Ritter-Freeman’s tenure at the Immigration Department.
Ritter- Freeman stood-up to Ministers
They said she had to stand up against some Ministers of Government, senior civil servants and others, who wanted her to break the Immigrations laws so they can get what they wanted. In addition, the Department remains under staffed, and physically out of space. The staff sometimes work under poor working environment.
It is also alleged that Dr Smith and some of his Ministers made requests of the Department but were not willing to always place the request in writing or amend the Immigration laws to achieve their goals.
Some have said also that the Dr Smith led Administration is giving away the country with liberal immigration policies, which has become a threat to National Security.
However, some have labelled those concerns as “xenophobic”.
Premier Smith told a news conference yesterday Thursday February 15, 2018 that he will make some announcements today to improve the Immigration Department.
However, knowing the slow to responded NDP administration, the announcements are yet to be made as of our publication time.
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65 Responses to “Geraldine Ritter-Freeman Out! Ag CIO back to Premier’s Office by March”
What you mean HOW? Do they need to be in the line at all? Labour and Immigration should be under one roof instead of the bullsh*t they're doing now. Persons that are here legally and ONLY have to go to Immigration because labour hasn't processed their stuff should NOT be in a long "$$ line!!! The fact that labour is processing their permits mean they're here legally. Why are they granting stay for only 2wks? Put a computer system in place instead of all the manual nonsense and stop blaming government. Why are we paying PS and management all that money for? We spend millions sending them to school and they can't get sh@t done? No matter which party in power we have the same sh@t. Don't even talk about the Port situation, it's shameful.
Immigration in other countries (developing countries) is seen as an entity that promotes and be a integral part in develop that country/ies
The people in the BVI lack law abiding leadership and immigration is a product of that. Ritter made a mess; Penn was there before ..this is really..really sad
I am disappointed in the NDP Government
SHE IS BAD NEWS FOR THE BVI, HER FATHER HAS MONEY, GO MANAGE HIS BUSINESSES, AT A TIME WHEN THE BVI NEEDS THE MOST HELP AND THE SO CALLED ISLAND PEOPLE, I DON NOT KNOW WHAT TORTOLA IZ, ANY HOW THE ISLAND MAN IS NEEDED TO REBUILD, LOOK ON TOP OF THE ROOF OF BUILDINGS BEING RE CONSTRUCTED, YOU THINK THEY ARE TOLIANS, HMMMMMMM. THIS ........ IS OPPRESSIVE, BUT BE CAREFUL YOU OPPRESSION WILL CAUSE SERIOUS SUPPRESSION TO THE BVI........ YOU ALL A JUST TOO WICKED, WICKED IN THIS LITTLE PLACE, IRMA DID NOT TEACH YOU ALL NOTING, WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT MESSAGE IS DELIVERED. HOW ABOUT SENDING ALL THE EXPATS BACK TO THEIR NATIVE COUNTRY AND SIT AND WATCH THE BVI LIKE THE MOVIE WITH WILL SMITH , "i'm legend" and say we are LEGENDS, "YOU ALL ARE"..... A BUNCH OF FOOLS
Drive your @&& out with that BMW baby
R&P are opportunists. Both accepted position they know they are NOT qualified for. Both puppets for the NDP government. NDP say "jump " they ask how "high" and so the department will suffer. Mr Hill if retirement is in your plans good for you. Knowledge is power take your knowledge and use it somewhere else..just like the ex president of the college. Another political appointment. NDP do not appreciate people who stand up to them and what is right. But for all those who they have victimized sit back and watch God work. Keep in mind whats done in darkness always come to light.
While I am at it Kedrick and Marlon shame on the two of you EE looks like the ghetto. Mitch I applaud you for your efforts and for not being afraid to speak up. Alvara you try. Delores shame on you too! So lost for words when it comes to M and M except smh, Ronnie you are a good man. The bottom line is time for change.
No longer a voter because of the empty promises the government makes meanwhile the people of this country are suffering .