Syrian refugees heading to the Caribbean! Should VI take some?
Syrian refugees heading to the Caribbean
In Antigua, for instance, it was reported that in July, 2015 the Antigua and Barbuda Government confirmed that 12 Syrians who entered Antigua lawfully later sought refugee status in the US Virgin Islands.
“We do know that 12 Syrians entered Antigua and Barbuda lawfully then, apparently, took a vessel to the US Virgin Islands, and when they arrived there, attempted to claim refugee status or that they were persecuted or something to that effect in Syria, and therefore they were seeking to remain in the United States lawfully,” Caribe Media reported Government Chief of Staff of Antigua Lionel Hurst as saying.
“To be quite frank, I don’t know where it has gotten since that time because it was not discussed in Cabinet,” Mr Hurst added.
His statements, according to the publication, followed a claim by former chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Leon Chaku Symister, that Antigua and Barbuda issued visa waivers to 53 Syrians and after the developments in the US Virgin Islands, the FBI had to intervene. Hurst, instead, reiterated the ruling administration’s no-refugee stance, which was adopted several weeks ago by Cabinet.
“We made it very clear that we are not in the business of receiving people from other parts of the world, who are fleeing the kinds of destruction we are seeing in that part of the world to come to Antigua only to try to get to the United States. Every sovereign state has the right to protect its borders and that is what the Antigua and Barbuda government has done,” Hurst said.
It was noted that most refugees pose absolutely no threat to the Caribbean but countries simply don’t have a sufficient process for figuring out who each person is and verifying his or her background.
And as refugees must now find alternative ways to leave ISIS territory, the Caribbean offers a unique opportunity for refugees to start a new life, and easy access to US territories such as the USVI and Puerto Rico.
VI should extend hand to refugees- Hon Fraser
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) believes that while the territory should extend its hand to refugees fleeing turmoil in the Middle East, there must be strong measures to assure a well managed situation.
Responding to queries from this news site last evening November 23, 2015, Honourable Fraser said he does not believe that the refugees will single out the Virgin Islands as their destination of choice.
“I don't think that the BVI is on any of these people's radar except of course if they were targeting a relative here. In any event, considering the circumstances, if proper mechanisms are in place it is worth considering,” said Honourable Fraser.
However, he said that vetting of those persons is a must.
“The process of vetting, being sure that we are working in concert with an established regional programme [would be vital],” Honourable Fraser said.
Efforts to get a comment from Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith on the developing issue in the Caribbean were futile.
VI not approached
Governor of the Virgin Islands, John S. Duncan OBE told this news site that "The Virgin Islands have not been asked to assist with the settlement of refugees from the Middle East. Immigration and residence policy are matters for the elected Virgin Islands government."
Acting Chief Immigration Officer Mr Ian B. Penn told Virgin Islands News Online he is not aware of any applications for refugee status or visa waivers being made here in the Virgin Islands.
“No, I don’t have such information as to anyone applying for refugee status or visa waivers,” Mr Penn said.
The refugee crisis
As a result of civil war, Syrians are leaving their conflict ridden country with the hope of escaping certain death and devastation. However, in their bid to escape many of them, over 3,000, have already lost their lives in the process.
As has happened in some parts of the Caribbean, there is a fear that persons from these war-torn countries will use various islands in the region as a launch pad to get themselves to the United States or Canada, in some cases taking advantage of visa waiver programmes.
Some 12 million refugees have been forced from Syria and as much as half of them are said to be children. Most of the refugees are in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.
The debate over refugees has escalated over the past weeks as many countries now re-examine their immigration policies in the wake of the unprecedented large number of refugees. It is felt that taking in such large numbers is bound to have some degree of impact on the country’s ability to provide for its people in terms of social services and infrastructure.
Further, in the wake of the France terrorist strike the debate escalated about the religion of the refugees, with some persons in the United States, a nation comprised of immigrants, saying that they should only accept refugees who are Christian.
Republican Party frontrunner in the US, billionaire business and real estate mogul Donald J. Trump, set off a media firestorm recently when he reportedly said that he would be in favour of setting up a register or database for all Muslims who enter the country.
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61 Responses to “Syrian refugees heading to the Caribbean! Should VI take some?”
Ur friends are not smart if their reason for leaving the vi is due to "overcrowding"....people coming in-they are here "for the money" they will still need accommodation, goods and services....kinda like shooting fish in a barrel if u ask me....
Dxpats come here for opportunity and if ur friends left-they left for opportunity as it has gotten competitive-as for me-my dreams are too big for little Tortola...As for me and my household-here for the m9nth to check on the properties, families and accounts while soaking up some sun-love me my tola and god bless the expats-they gave me my one and only wife and four lovely kids...
wake up hmm-drink from the stream as you are obviously thirsty-
people here to work-not to beg bread nor handouts...and you will not be getting any credit because of "whoyuhfah"
#earnyourstripes
I don't mean to sound heartless but you I cannot see these small countries that lack in so many thing helping.
We got our own mess here to deal with !!
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who hate expats blacks more than the NDP? they call them nasty, they send home women with babides and they deport a old spansih wmen for over staying. NDP love only the expat whites so funny man hush your r@$$
We have a right to defend our Territory and dictate what its future would be. The Virgin Islands should not open its doors to accept no refugees from Syria or any Muslim war-torn country. The Arab Muslim population in the Virgin Islands is rapidly growing and with Social Media open, nothing stops one of them from being radicalized. Learn from Molenbeek, Belgium. Even though some were born in the Virgin Islands, they are heavily into their culture, customs and ideology. Remember when the World Trade Centre went down how they were cheering in Lower Estate, and poor Mr. Ali, of blessed memory had to make a written apology for them. If some could cheer then, it shows that some are already into radicalized thinking.
For wisdom, please keep those people out. Let us monitor what is going on in our country now. There are so much tales being touted about those among us and the Govt. and leaders cast a blind eye. While we wish to extend a humanitarian hand, extend it to the non-Muslim Africans or the Haitians first. I sincerely believe, they will more integrate in the society than be isolated in their own corner.
The Virgin Islands do welcome any Syrians here. We have enough immigration problems here to deal with that the welcoming of generally labeled "terror group" people.
And if UK were to tell us to open our shores to them, the days of Theodolph Faulkner will be awakened and the days of 1, 2, 3, 4...... must go will stare us straight in the face again. DO NOT LET IN THOSE REFUGEES IN THE BVI.
In No style or fashion should we ( BVI) EVEN think about inviting /accepting ANY one else our government is BROKE