‘Our unity problem is an immigration problem’- Pastor Skelton-Cline
Think tank needed
This position was made known on his Honestly Speaking broadcast on ZBVI 780 AM on February 25, 2025, when Skelton-Cline called for a structured and inclusive dialogue on the issue, urging political leaders and the wider community to engage in what he termed a "righteous conversation."
Not mincing words on the state of affairs, he posits, “Our unity problem is an immigration problem; We haven't solved our immigration challenges, [and] this is why a think tank is needed.”
The pastor argued that while the Virgin Islands has evolved beyond a purely African-descendant identity, there remains a lack of clear policies regarding who qualifies as a Virgin Islander, and what rights and privileges come with such a designation.
He, as such, lamented the absence of a structured framework to address the evolving demographic and political realities, telling the listening audience, “We have people who are going to be running for office and seeking the highest office. And we have not yet been able to speak truthfully and lovingly, helping us understand that a Virgin Islander is not just no longer someone with African descent, but a Virgin Islander now is more than those with African ancestry. And what does that mean politically? And what does that mean as it relates to land? And what does it mean as it relates to holding certain offices in the country?”
Question of rights
Drawing on personal experience, he offered a reflection on identity, referencing his own deep Virgin Islands heritage from both his paternal and maternal lines.
“I would like to think, they would call people like me, they would call me a double barrel; My friend Buju would call me a double barrel, that I have history on both sides, my father's side as a Skelton, my mother's side as a Cline. I'm a double barrel. I go back to my roots in Long Look. On my father's side, my mother's side, out in Cane Garden Bay, out in the bay.”
As such, Skelton-Cline asserted he is an indigenous Virgin Islander. He nonetheless drew a sharp distinction between his status and that of his wife, who, despite being legally connected to the Virgin Islands through marriage, does not hold the same entitlements.
“My wife would be someone who has the benefit of being married to me, but she ain't no Virgin Islander. So, there are only certain privileges that she can get because of the marital connection; My son will be an indigenous Virgin Islander because he's a son. My wife is just my wife, she married into. So certain rights and privileges stop at that borderline, but my son, he would be indigenous and would also be a double barrel.”
This differentiation underscores the complexity of citizenship, heritage, and entitlement in the territory—a subject Skelton-Cline insists must be debated openly and resolved fairly.
Isolationist motif
Comparing the Virgin Islands’ situation to global immigration policies, Skelton-Cline pointed to the tightening of borders in major Western nations.
“This is why America and other countries that you're going to see, Canada, even the UK, if you listen to the conservative lady who is of Nigerian ancestry but born in Nigeria, leads the conservative party, you're going to see it in Germany; You're going to see all these countries now almost taking on an isolationist motif and protecting their borders and their so-called indigenous citizens.”
To this end, he warned that failing to address immigration and nationality issues within the Virgin Islands could lead to social and political tensions.
According to Pastor Skelton-Cline, “We must come together as a people and create in earnest and in fairness certain rights and privileges that are reserved and certain that they are therefore off limits. But first, we must educate and re-educate our people around this issue of immigration.”
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15 Responses to “‘Our unity problem is an immigration problem’- Pastor Skelton-Cline”
The whites don’t get involve . They just live. Thats why I like the white people. You self don’t know they exist on island until you see them walking their dogs or jogging.They mind their business. If they do talk or gossip it’s amongst themselves. They don’t try to dictate anything. Far different cry from these bad minded isla** people who come here from ????️ looking to be important in our society STRUPPPSSSS.
May I have another Sixteen Thousand dollars this month for this suggestion? Actually, can I get a raise? All of these isolationist policies have made some pretty bad inflation so maybe seventeen thousand? Eighteen thousand is good too.
Righteousness exults a nation, but sin is a reproach to any (and all) people.