L. Allen Wheatley blasts 'slow' immigration process for locals entering VI
Mr Wheatley was at the time speaking in a social media commentary today, January 5, 2023, and reported that he could have returned to Miami in the same time it took him to exit the port.
No executive treatment in VI
Wheatley questioned why Virgin Islanders are not given some type of preferential or executive treatment as it relates to clearing immigration and customs at the local seaports in the VI, as is the case of St Thomas.
He also complained about the limited staff of immigration officers at the ports, given the passenger load of boats arriving is usually large. “Why do you have BVIslanders waiting out there like foreigners or tourists? It's crazy… we should be in a line and all of we gone,” he added.
Mr Wheatley said when locals are processed, then tourists and others could be processed through systems, “We should not have BV Islanders in a line for two hours to enter their own country, and you expect me to vote for that?” he questioned.
Tourist were unhappy -Mr Wheatley
It remains unclear when the trip happened, however, Mr Wheatley said in the midst of the experience, tourists were grumbling about having to wait and lamenting that it was worse than anything they had ever experienced.
The former FS said it reached the point where it began to rain but there was no space to accommodate the influx of passengers.
This he said resulted in him and others taking a decision to get wet so the women and children could stay dry, since he felt the 'screw up' was on him as a Virgin Islander.
Nose bleeds from exposure to rain
Mr Wheatley added that the humanitarian gesture has not come without consequences.
"So I start nose bleeds today, thank you very much Mr Premier and the Head of Immigration," he added.
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30 Responses to “L. Allen Wheatley blasts 'slow' immigration process for locals entering VI”
But he complains of being treated like a tourist. He should be complaining about the way we treat tourists not claiming he is someone special.
Mr Wheatley said when locals are processed, then tourists and others could be processed through systems, “We should not have BV Islanders in a line for two hours to enter their own country, and you expect me to vote for that?” he questioned.
I had to tell them send up the seniors and persons going to other islands.
I can shake your hand. I came in from Florida News Sunday it takes 2 hours to clear Immigration with a hundred and fifty passengers . Maduro ferry came in he was allowed to put off his passengers to wait in the lounge while Native Son cleared this is not good enough and so many visitors. It’s time to open up West End Port of entry this is the hub cash cow for the BVI stop wasting people’s time and money. Your employees are not even customers friendly please address these concerns.
You just cant please tortola people them complain for everything. When you all in St Thomas you all complaining and it have two officers. You all quiet and patiently waiting
Just hush ayo @$$
so keep that in mind when you (The People) are coming home from your vacation and little getaways, those officer have worked double and some times triple shifts, not knowing if they are going to be compensated for their time, but they do it anyway.
THE ONES WHO KNOW, KNOW.