Certain prison, customs and immigration officers could soon be subject to new vetting requirements under a bill the House of Assembly passed recently in accordance with a Commission of Inquiry …
EDITORIAL: After scathing security review, UK and VI leaders must step up
Residents may be forgiven for feeling numb on the release of yet another scathing report about governance failings in the Virgin Islands. The 2022 Commission of Inquiry, the conviction of …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: After scathing security review, UK and VI leaders must step up”
Immigration bill passes with amendments
The Immigration and Passport Amendment Bill, 2024, passed with amendments on Friday after the House of Assembly returned from a closed-door committee session, according to HOA Public Relations Officer Linton …
HOA debates 20-year path to belongership
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 …
Two migrants captured on Peter Island
More migrants allegedly entered the territory illegally last week, but most of them had not been reported apprehended as of Beacon press time yesterday afternoon. After receiving a tip about …
Brazilian couple safe and sound after missing cruise ship
A Brazilian couple who missed their cruise ship’s departure on Jan. 6 stayed the night for health reasons and then flew to St. Maarten the following evening, they told the …
Continue reading “Brazilian couple safe and sound after missing cruise ship”
Plane lands on Anegada, then burns
Early yesterday morning, a plane landed without authorisation at Anegada’s Captain Auguste George Airport, police said. “Shortly after landing, a fire of unknown origin engulfed the aircraft,” Police Information Officer …
EDITORIAL: An appalling arrival
At a time when the territory urgently needs its tourism industry to recover quickly from the pandemic, we have been distressed to hear repeated horror stories about travellers’ arrival experience …
EDITORIAL: Government is dropping the ball amid a migration crisis
At a time when illegal migration is on the rise across the region, we are growing increasingly concerned by the Virgin Islands government’s spectacular failure to properly address the issue …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Government is dropping the ball amid a migration crisis”
Another migrant flees detention at Castle Maria
Immigration officials are asking the public to help locate Haiti national Elena Milford, who they say escaped from detention at Hotel Castle Maria last week and remains at large. “The …
Continue reading “Another migrant flees detention at Castle Maria”
Joint Task Force nabs 15 migrants on Anegada
Joint Task Force officers on Sunday apprehended 15 migrants after responding to reports of an abandoned vessel on Anegada, barely a month after detaining 23 migrants during a similar operation …
Continue reading “Joint Task Force nabs 15 migrants on Anegada”
Immigration department seeks info on 11 men
Chief Immigration Officer Ian Penn is seeking information on ten Haitians and one Venezuelan, according to a Dec. 29 press release from government. “The matter was immediately reported to the …
Continue reading “Immigration department seeks info on 11 men”
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Belongership system urgently needs reform”
Two arrested in Virgin Gorda immigration crackdown
During a Sept. 12 operation on Virgin Gorda targeting people suspected of being in the territory illegally, Joint Task Force officers issued three summonses for immigration-related offences and police arrested …
Continue reading “Two arrested in Virgin Gorda immigration crackdown”
Crackdown coming on illegal entry
Covid-19 continues to plague communities around the world, which government leaders said last week was a main motivator for passing harsher border-control legislation that could lead to a 10-year prison …
Work permit system goes online
A new electronic work permit system has arrived just as the Covid-19 pandemic has led to more and more business being conducted remotely. Premier Andrew Fahie, during a virtual rollout …
Wheatley: Dominican Republic man escaped Virgin Islands after breaking quarantine
Virgin Islands authorities are currently tracking a Dominican Republic man who broke his quarantine after being refused entry into the territory on Dec. 20 — and who has since escaped …
Continue reading “Wheatley: Dominican Republic man escaped Virgin Islands after breaking quarantine”
Two Venezuelans arrested in raid
Early in the morning of Sept. 6, officers with the recently formed Joint Task Force searched the Betteto Frett building in Wickhams Cay, where they arrested two Venezuelans who had …
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. …
Wheatley promises environmental law
Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley spoke at length at the House of Assembly on Monday on the importance of sustainable development both as it applies to environmental …
COMMENTARY — Passport Office staff draws praise
I am writing in response to Donald de Castro’s letter of last week, “Passport statement draws questions.” In June/July 2017, I needed to renew both my United Kingdom passport and …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Passport Office staff draws praise”