It was all smiles, hugs and congratulations as the 64 new permanent residents of the Virgin Islands posed for photos, examined their new residency cards, and shook hands with governments officials Monday morning.
Premier Ralph O’Neal, who is the minister responsible for immigration, delivered his congratulations with a touch of somberness, warning the new residents that they should set an example for others.
“What I want to know is that when that person is granted residency or belonger status that it’s going to be a person who is interested in the Virgin Islands, who is going to participate and who is going to behave themselves,” Mr. O’Neal said.
The new residents should be happy and proud, the premier said, as they gain benefits of VI residency such as free education for their children.
See the June 23, 2011 edition for full coverage.