A 20-year residence requirement for belongership applicants is among the broad-ranging immigration reforms proposed under a bill currently under consideration in the House of Assembly. The Immigration and Passport Amendment …
May 24, 2024
March 11, 2024
Immigration Policy keeps 20-year rule the COI deemed ‘unlawful,’ but law could change soon to match it
The government’s new Immigration Policy keeps in place a 20-year residency requirement for belongership applicants that the Commission of Inquiry previously deemed “unlawful” under the Immigration and Passport Act. However, …
October 23, 2023
Residents weigh in on belongership
During a series of public meetings held over several days, residents got a chance to weigh in on potential government plans to create an immigration policy, amend the Immigration and …
October 12, 2023
What to know about belongership review as meetings start
Last year, the Commission of Inquiry report recommended a review designed in part to clarify a controversial question in the Virgin Islands: How many years must an expatriate live here …
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September 7, 2023
Belongership report now complete
A review of belongership and residency is complete, and a report will be tabled in the House of Assembly soon, according to Premier’s Office Permanent Secretary Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe. The update …
April 27, 2023
House of Assembly recalled to validate ‘fast-track’ belongerships
Governor John Rankin used his discretionary powers under the Constitution to recall the House of Assembly on April 17 so that it could pass a law to validate the status …
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April 20, 2023
Five post-COI reports tabled in House of Assembly
Days before voters are scheduled to head to the polls to choose a new House of Assembly, five post-Commission of Inquiry reports were tabled on Monday during a special emergency …
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October 28, 2021
Facing COI, Fahie explains rocky UK relationship
In response to allegations of poor governance aired during the ongoing Commission of Inquiry, Premier Andrew Fahie last week described a pattern of systemic problems with the Virgin Islands’ constitutional …
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October 15, 2021
Asked about NPP, Fahie points to late premier
When the Commission of Inquiry asked Premier Andrew Fahie on Monday about his role in the controversial Neighbourhood Partnership Project from 2008 to 2010, he repeatedly deflected responsibility to late …
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October 13, 2021
October 11, 2021
EDITORIAL: Belongership system urgently needs reform
For decades, the government’s system for awarding belongership has been broken. It is inconsistent and unfair, and it lacks transparency. Thus, much of the information about the topic aired recently …
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July 17, 2021
COI interrogates former premier on belongership
The Commission of Inquiry questioned former Premier Dr. Orlando Smith last week about belongerships that Cabinet allegedly awarded improperly just before the start of his 2011- 2019 tenure as premier. …
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March 18, 2021
1,273 got belongership through ‘fast-track’
Under a “fast-track” programme launched in July 2019, government processed 1,321 new applications for belongership and 320 backlogged applications, according to Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley. Of …
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December 19, 2019
Belongership, residency backlogs cleared
Monday afternoon was an emotional day for many people who have lived in the Virgin Islands for decades as they accepted certificates granting them residency, belonger status, or both. “It …
December 15, 2019
Belongership meeting to be held Monday
Following the Cabinet’s Oct. 25 decision to award belongership to 400 people, a meeting concerning belongership is planned for 1 p.m. Monday at the Multi-purpose Sports Complex, according to an …
August 16, 2019
Amended belongership law passes
The House of Assembly passed the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) (No.2) Act, 2019 on Aug. 1 after it was considered clause by clause through a committee of the whole House. …
July 26, 2019
Belongership “fast track” is back again
Beginning yesterday, applicants for permanent residency and belongership have three weeks to apply to the Immigration Department for consideration under the modified “fast-track programme” designed to clear the backlog of …
June 6, 2019
Premier backs down on 15-year-belongership plan
The House of Assembly on Monday passed the controversial amendment to the Immigration and Passport Act that was meant to allow Premier Andrew Fahie to enact the “Clear Path to …
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June 5, 2019
Governor: UK will not take over government
Governor Gus Jaspert emphasised the importance of environmentally sustainable practices during a press conference last Thursday at Government House. It was one of several points he made during the “Catch …
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June 4, 2019
COMMENTARY — Residency debate sparks ‘disgust’
Our newly appointed “King” Fahie (see government press release) may have called a National Day of Prayer for today but I am afraid he and God have an uphill task …
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May 30, 2019
Belongership “fast track” postponed
An amendment related to the controversial “fast-track” plan to residency and belongership being championed by Premier Andrew Fahie is scheduled for a hearing in the House of Assembly on Monday, …
May 27, 2019
Premier introduces six bills
Premier Andrew Fahie introduced six bills on Friday in the House of Assembly, including the long-awaited Consumer Protection Act. He also introduced the Immigration Passport (Amendment) Act as part of …
May 21, 2019
EDITORIAL: Belongership reform welcome, but it must be consistent and fair
Kudos to the new government for tackling the touchy issue of permanent residency and belongership. The overall plan to ease the requirements for both statuses seems reasonable and fair. However, …
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May 20, 2019
UK won’t target belongership, same-sex marriage in OTs
The United Kingdom government has no plans to impose same-sex marriage or to phase out belongership in the overseas territories, according to its Sunday response to the Feb. 21 report …
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March 19, 2019
Election observers’ ideas aren’t new
Two days after the Feb. 25 general election, a team of international observers released a preliminary report with a series of recommendations for election reform. Most of them are not …
