Today I assented to the Immigration and Passport (Validation) Act, 2023 and the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act, 2023. This legislation, which was passed by the House of Assembly on Monday, validates the Residency and Belonger status of individuals following the concerns raised in the recent Audit Report and Addendum on the Fast Track Residency and Belonger Status Programme.

As people in the BVI are aware, the House of Assembly convened yesterday following the findings of the Audit Report and Addendum on the Fast Track Residency and Belongership Programme.

Democracy is a sacred trust. We all have a responsibility to protect and uphold democracy. It provides the legitimacy on which Government rests.

After consultation with the Premier and further to discussions yesterday in Cabinet, I wish to inform you that I intend to exercise my power under Section 85 of the Constitution to recall the House of Assembly.

The public is notified that the application deadline for vacancies on the Board of Immigration has been extended to April 21.

The public is notified that the Immigration Department’s headquarters (1st & 2nd floor) offices will open later than usual tomorrow Wednesday, March 22. 

The public is notified that the Immigration Department’s headquarters (both floors) will be closed tomorrow Wednesday, March 22 from 8:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. to facilitate a staff meeting.

Chief Immigration Officer Mr. Ian Penn is advising persons who were granted residence status in 2019 and have not yet received the relevant certification, to email the Immigration Department’s Status Unit at immstatus@gov.vg indicating such, and to gain further information on the collection process.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is inviting tenders for locally trained and competent Catering Services to provide meal services at the temporary Immigration Detention Centre housed at Hotel Castle Maria, Road Town, Tortola.

It gives me great pleasure this morning to witness and be a part of this Contract signing and Groundbreaking ceremony for the Joint Marine Shore Base Building. We can all agree that this project is another one that is well overdue.