‘Multiple support channels will ease long lines @ Immigration Dept’- Kevon S. Lettsome
On a daily basis more than a hundred persons are turned away by the Department of Immigration due to it being unable to handle the amount of customers that show up, mainly for extensions on their visas while their work permits are being processed.
Members of the public show up sometimes before 4:00 A.M. in the hope of being among the lucky ones to receive a number for service. Many, who even show up before opening hours, have to come back another day.
Their frustrations are expressed daily on the BVI Community Board on Facebook.
A possible solution
Youth leader, who hails from the East End community, Kevon S. Lettsome, has been paying attention to the issues even while overseas and has since proposed a solution he believes can make a difference.
According to Mr Lettsome, since, the most catastrophic event in the territory’s history, Hurricane Irma, many have found it easy to criticise, rather than offer solutions; however, that does not mean he is letting elected personnel off the hook, for they should’ve anticipate an increase in line lengths and wait times at various departments.
Mr Lettsome is proposing that the government and its departments strengthen their support team, especially at the Immigration Department.
The young man explained that the Immigration Department, for example, can implement multiple support channels. He added there can be three main locations for the support channels and a number of sub locations throughout the territory.
The main locations, Lettsome said, can be in Road Town, West End, East End and Virgin Gorda. The sub locations can be in places like the ports of entries at the airport on Beef Island and cruise pier in Road Town.
“Please note that person from the other nearby islands will have to come over to Tortola or Virgin Gorda to the closest location, which is convenient for them. Nevertheless, the department can run the support channels system for a few months. In addition to this, an avenue for employment will then be opened. What the department can also implement is temporary employment to man these locations. At these support channels, persons will be able to get the same services that were being offered at the Department of Immigration.”
‘System will bring efficiency, satisfaction & mostly shorter lines’
Mr Lettsome is encouraging Government to consider his proposal, which he said can only result in success if tried.
“I believe this system can work and we can only find out, if we try it. This system will bring efficiency, satisfaction and mostly shorter lines.”
Mr Lettsome argued that research has showed this is a system that the Florida Department of Children and Families has used since the passage of Hurricane Irma.
“Time has change and we need to piggy back the best practices from the United States, as the United States is a big nation. However, I am not saying everything that worked for them may work for us but I am certain this will work.”
Premier Smith’s proposals
It was on February 16, 2018 that Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) announced two changes which he believes will help to ease the long wait and lines at the Department of Immigration.
“We have therefore decided that as of Monday, February 19, [2018] any company can have their work permits processed for the employees by having all the documents for the employees sent from the company directly to the Immigration Department. This would also apply for the owners or managers of companies.”
Dr Smith added that Government is also now testing an online application process for entry permits and “we expect this to be up and running within the next few weeks.
“Again, this will add to the efficiency of the application process at the Immigration Department.”
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23 Responses to “‘Multiple support channels will ease long lines @ Immigration Dept’- Kevon S. Lettsome”
You cant train immigration officers in a few days then send them to work. Whats needed is simple common sense. Grant extensions that make sense like 2 - 3 mths and have surveillence do their jobs. We are not making the country safer by having 100 people line up in the sun everyday to get a 2 week extension stamp because labour hasnt issued their permit. That is bullsh**! They granted 3 mths after Irma automatically, why not grant another 3 mths while they put systems in place to deal with the masses. Too much +×=%ing book sense and not a lick of common sense. More degrees than a thermometer factory but as much action as a 90yr old lady in a wheel chair! Thats the govt senior officials in a nutshell.
1. Automated system design to process and grant extension - similar to the ESTA application online - this could be for visitors who are requesting to extend their time in the Territory
2. Online appointment schedule- similar to the Passport Office in New York where persons could only be seen with a confirmation number, date and time of appointment. The appointment could be scheduled online or through an automated telephone system
Combination of both could help the system - adding to recommendation of the article.
Only Immigratiion you hearing about and not Labour. Despite what it seems like on the outside Immigration has been trying different things like granting people 2 and 3 months extensiion to even calling Labour and begging them to give people their permit so they don't have to get a 3rd extension.
Seems like Labour depatrment is not trying to resolve their issues after the flood and Irma. It is business as usual. They cant find permits and they are not reissuing them. They have an appointment only sysyem for pick up that is simply not worming post Irma etc. So Immigration have to keep taking the condemnation for Labour's inefficiency. Nobody looking at Labour and their bull crap...poor leadership from the top all around, from Premier to Minister for Labour to permanent secretaries to department heads.