'Sunset Legislation' is being looked at, according to Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL), to tackle the issue of post-hurricane Immigration policies. Photo: VINO/File

Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), left, had ordered his [Acting] Chief Immigration Officer, Ian B. Penn, right, to 'cease and desist' from sending skilled expatriates home unless they have committed a crime. Photo: VINO/File

Following the hurricanes of September 2017, many businesses throughout the territory were destroyed. Photo: VINO

The Premier had responded, "Expatriates currently residing in the territory who were offered engagement with companies requiring employees for the hurricane relief work with the employer are not being asked to currently leave the territory.”

However, once again the Premier’s words continue to be questionable when making public announcements on matters affecting the territory but specifically with the post hurricanes immigration policies.

During a one on one press conference with media houses at the Office of the Premier on March 28, 2018, he attempted to try to explain the continuous disparity between himself and his Acting Chief Immigrant Officer, Ian B. Penn, regarding the post hurricanes immigration policies, while noting that his government is reviewing the legislation that deals with the issue as well as other post-hurricane policies.

He said, “What we are doing is reviewing the legislation providing what we call the Sunset Legislation to make for provisions for this and many other activities and because of where we are at the moment, because of the fact we are in a restructuring phase and we need as much help as possible. So we are reviewing those things to provide for many such things such as that.”

In public policy, a sunset provision or clause is a measure within a statute, regulation or other law that provides that the law shall cease to have effect after a specific date, unless further legislative action is taken to extend the law.

It was during the 23rd annual celebration and 18th wreath-laying ceremony to pay homage to the Territory’s first Chief Minister at the West End Cemetery in Capoon’s Bay, Tortola, on March 5, 2018 that the Premier called on his Chief Immigration Officer to “cease and desist” from sending home skilled expatriates who have not committed any crimes, while emphasising that the territory needs “all hands on deck” during the recovery process.

“There are laws which have to be abided by”

Meanwhile, still not directly answering the question posed by the media on whether persons are being asked to leave the territory despite receiving job offers, the question was then asked again in an effort to garner clarity on his statement.

Premier Smith stated that the laws already in place have to be followed even if he says he wants something done at the time, indicating that is why his government is reviewing the current legislation which speaks to that issue.

“There are things in process right but sometimes there are laws which have to be abided by and even though I will say we want to have this done we have to provide the back up if there is a law that suggests otherwise...” explained the Premier.