20 Haitian migrants found on Virgin Gorda
The Department of Immigration has reported the discovery of 20 Haitian irregular migrants in the North Sound area of Virgin Gorda this Tuesday, intensifying concerns over human smuggling in the BVI.
The group, comprising 12 males and seven females—including three children—is currently undergoing intake procedures by the Department of Immigration’s Enforcement Unit. They were transported from Virgin Gorda to Tortola with assistance from the Marine Unit of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
The latest incident underscores ongoing challenges in the territory and the region as Haitians continue to flee severe economic and social hardships, including widespread hunger, political violence and lack of government infrastructure in their home country.
Acting Chief Immigration Officer Nadia Demming-Hodge urged the community to assist by providing information about the migrants or potential smuggling activities. The Department of Immigration can be contacted at 468-4705 or 468-4754, and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Hotline at 311.
An expensive problem
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley previously estimated the cost of housing and repatriating illegal migrants at millions of dollars, adding that the issue will continue to be a challenge for the BVI. The Premier emphasised the need for more robust border security and international cooperation to address the issue.
Dozens of illegal migrants were apprehended by immigration officials in the territory in recent months, and Dr Wheatley emphasised the financial burden placed on taxpayer dollars by the current detention system. He said the government aims to redirect funds now spent on temporary housing solutions towards broader territorial development.
“I don’t have the cost in front of me right now, but rest assured that it’s in the millions,” Dr Wheatley said about the illegal immigration burden earlier this year. “So we are working expeditiously for a solution because it’s certainly very expensive. We want to use that money that we’re spending to help to develop the territory.”
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
get them out of here
20. We need to be vigilant because the gang members will flee now that the keyan soldiers are 400+
is why they came to the BVI!
As I listened to Benjamin Netanyahu spew his venomous lies to American lawmakers who cheered wildly with standing ovation I became convinced that here is a set of people that have totally lost their humanity. All over the world people are suffering because of the wicked actions of the Synagogue of Satan be it in Gaza and the wider Middle East, Asia, Pacific, Africa. South America, The Caribbean even in Europe and North America. Haiti’s problems are rooted in the actions of America and France in destabilizing that country installing puppet regimes to facilitate the theft of it’s natural resources. From sugar and other agricultural commodities in the days of slavery to precious metals including gold and Iridium. The chaos in Haiti is fueled by the greed and dishonesty of western nations who continue to pontificate about Human Rights and Democracy exactly the same as Netanyahu is doing in Palestine. Here we are stuck in this perpetual cycle of rescue and accommodation or repatriation of hundreds of Haitian refugees a serious drain on our limited financial resources at a time when our infrastructure is in shambles`and the burden of the implementation of recommendations of a commission of inquiry. The premier needs to present a serious case before the United Nations for reimbursement of monies expended on repatriation resulting from exploitative US policies toward Haiti. As in the case of Gaza\Palestine it will most likely be vetoed but let the records show that these actions are having a detrimental effect on Caribbean economies. When the UK tries to use their big stick policies they should be reminded that they are at the root of the problems. It’s time for our politicians to wake up and stand up instead of being Useful Idiots for the Colonialists.
YOU FORGET IRIDIUM THE WEALTHIEST OF ALL THATS THE REAL REASON FOR THE UN TO DISGUISE THEMSELVES LIKE THEY HELPING WAKE UP NEXT IS HERE BUT I TELL U THIS THE REVOLLUTION WILL BE TELEVISED
So just ask the Royal Navy to start patrolling? Seems easy to me, then they could also effectively stop the drugs trans-shipment through BVI waters too. Surely the government wouldn’t be resistant to this or will we be paying $17,000 per day for barges LOL
WE WILL NEED TO ASK THE WIGGED CANARY ON HIS YELLO SITE THRONE ( WHY WAS REFUSED BY HIS PATHNER WHEN IT WAS OFFERED / BUT HE HE MIGHT PREFER TO HOLLER OUT ” FREE THE DREW ” INSTEAD , SINCE THATS HIS NATIONAL ANTHEM
There are elements in the BVI that are facilitating the smuggling. this illegal activity has to stop.
we need to speak up and not just deport the people.
They still owe sumac dem for the trip…aren’t they OUR Caribbean brethren or not? Should they stay and suffer under AmeriKKKa and the UN while their quality of life finishes daily?
Pompous and pious ppl ayo is…
If they found 20, it has 20 more. Some of them stuck together but there were those who wondered off.
The latest incident underscores ongoing challenges in the territory and the region as Haitians continue to flee severe economic and social hardships, including widespread hunger, political violence and lack of government infrastructure in their home country.
GROUNDS FOR POLITICAL ASSYLUM.
And they are coming here? Currently how much better off are we ?