Reintroduce task-force to tackle 'large' illegal immigrant population in VI- Hon Penn
He gave this position publicly, during the continuation of the Third Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth HoA on April 22, 2025, suggesting, "It might not be popular; But there's a component that seems to be missing for some time, Madam Speaker — the issue of enforcement and of a task force....there are people out there who are here illegally."
Task Force
Hon Penn was adamant that there was a need to revive a task force within the Immigration Department, previously responsible for ensuring residents’ statuses were properly regularised.
Qualifying his position, Hon Penn recounted a recent encounter with an individual who had resided in the Virgin Islands for over five years without any formal immigration status.
“That person was living here in the BVI with no type of status, and I don't think this is an isolated situation.”
Reflecting on the previous functioning of the task force, Hon Penn said, “I know before we used to have a situation where there was a task force that used to go out periodically to make sure that persons are doing the things that they should do, to make sure that their status are regularised; I think we need to get back to that place.”
While advocating for stricter enforcement mechanisms, Hon Penn was careful to caution against overreach, telling the House, “It (enforcement) was not to the scale that I'm seeing right now where a person, even with legitimate status, is being targeted and harassed; But persons need to go through the legitimate process to reside within the territory.”
He, as such, posits that a revived task force could be internal or external, and reiterating its importance suggested, “...whether it’s external value or within immigration, again, [it] needs to be striked up again and go forward.”
Legal certainty for residents
Hon Penn also called on the requisite authority to provide legal clarity for residents, particularly those pursuing long-term status.
“People need to have a level of understanding of what they're getting into; There needs to be some certainty in the process, certainty in the procedures.”
To this end, he drew reference to a growing public unease over the lack of transparency and suggested, “Right now, there's a sense of uncertainty when you speak to people… there's no clarity in the public space on the belonger side and on persons who are trying to become belongers or residents.”
He was adamant, “We have to ensure that we educate persons on those changes and the subsequent changes that we're making today; There needs to be clarity in the process… a public consultation process with the people of the territory so there's a level of understanding of what is afforded of them.”
Reiterating his support for the reform process, Hon Penn told colleague legislators, “I support the reformation process; I look forward to a more healthy discussion in the committee stages as we make the necessary changes in the immigration process.”
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10 Responses to “Reintroduce task-force to tackle 'large' illegal immigrant population in VI- Hon Penn”
Now sloman want to reduce the limit for thenelongers time frame. Tell us what about all the illegals that are amongst us. Tell about the millions spen to house them. Three square meals a/c.You said you was in close proximity of an illegal person did you reported it?
Also I remember one time in Turks and Caicos, the Police were doing random checks and stopping all vehicles and asking persons to show proof of status in TCI. They had their guns out and everything, it was scary but they were able to pick up a lot of persons living and working illegally in the island.
Did you Mr. minister reported that gross violation to the Chief of immigration or any other immigration officer? If not you need to shut up.
police cant do alone with them small weak boat
make them other departments carry some weight