Immigration problem costing us millions — Premier
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has put the cost of housing and repatriating illegal migrants in the millions of dollars, adding that the issue will continue to be a challenge for the BVI.
Dozens of illegal migrants were apprehended in the territory in recent months, and Dr Wheatley emphasised the financial burden placed on the budget 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. “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.”
Currently, the BVI rents facilities to detain immigrants, and the Premier indicated that constructing a purpose-built facility would significantly reduce government expenditures. In response to the escalating costs of housing immigration detainees, the government announced plans to build a new detention facility.
Earlier this year, the Premier stated that $700,000 had been allocated for developing this centre, which will house and process illegal immigrants humanely, in line with international conventions, until their repatriation. He noted that the Recovery and Development Agency is currently finalising designs and said the process will move to approval at the Town and Country Planning Department before contractor selection.
The Premier highlighted the challenges faced by Caribbean nations and other countries, with increasing migrant flows from regions like North Africa and Haiti impacting local resources. He also focused on the broader regional challenge and the necessity for strengthened border security to tackle not only illegal immigration but also associated threats like human smuggling, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling.
Dr Wheatley stressed the BVI’s commitment to enhancing its border security measures and noted that the National Security Council is reviewing a border security plan and integrating recommendations from a recent law enforcement review.
He said the review is part of ongoing efforts to bolster the territory’s response to various security threats. The Premier also mentioned the BVI’s involvement with CARICOM in stabilising Haiti to prevent mass migration from the country, which affects the entire Caribbean region.
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“I don’t have the cost in front of me right now, but rest assured that it’s in the millions,” Dr Wheatley said
Natalio never, and I mean absolutely never, knows the numbers he is talking about.
You’re minister of finance yet you have no clue about the finances of the territory.
Dr. Incompetent.
1. Did you vote in the last election?
2. Did you vote for the Premier in the last election?
3. Did you vote for the VIP in the last election?
4. Are you a supporter of any other political party than the VIP?
I ask these questions to have a better understanding of your background to keep than in mind and in context as I read your post.
Why I ask?
Because if you did not vote in the last election, I personally don’t waste time with anyone who did not exercise their right to vote, and has complaints.
It’s also important to know if there are inherit biases hidden in the opinions people espouse.
Now, do not assume I agree or disagree with your view. I am just trying to understand the motivation of the person who describes the Premier as “Dr. Incompetent”.
We post on here blindly, but in practically all instances with few exceptions, we do not know who posters are, where they are from, their motivations, or agendas.
So, help me appreciate your post, and answer those questions if you will to further my understanding. Thanks.
If you really question why anyone would call Wheatley dr. incompetence I wouldn’t waste time on questioning posters online. I would just get some glasses and drive around the territory to see the deplorable state it is in and ask yourself if it gotten any better in the last five years.
Again, this is not about me agreeing or disagreeing with your post. It’s me trying to understand you the poster; specifically what motivates you. That does not have to be a bad thing.
I would prefer not making assumptions, so I asked you directly.
Now, the fact that you have deflected and failed to answer is interesting.
When I read these blogs, I always keep in mind that we are anonymous poster with our own interpretations and spin on things, so I personally don’t take much of what I read seriously.
I know this much, if you did not vote or participate in the election process, in my view, I am deaf to such persons complaints.
The motivation is to call out a premier who does not keep corrupt ministers accountable.
To call out a premier who does nothing but travel and complain.
To call out a premier who has supported a criminal and not distanced himself from it.
To call out a premier who has been in power for years but hasn’t moved the territory forward.
What I have voted is irrelevant (and none of your business).
Seeking accountability of the Premier is ok. No dispute there on my part. You are entitled to do so.
I am not here to defend his record. I do want to point out that your post is meaningless to people like me. You cowardly hide behind these blogs nameless and call out people as you say.
So many of you have so much to say about these politicians rightly or wrongly. Everyone wants to run the country, and don’t have the courage to contest elections or even vote. Less than 50% of you voted the last election.
So you can stay anonymous as far as I am concern. If you are going to be critical of people, don’t be a coward. Show your face and do so. You will earn respect, and credibility.
As far as I am concern, you are just another disgruntled blogger who wake up every morning to spew your negativity on these forum. That’s your breakfast.
What have you done or is doing for your country other than complaining? Do you think calling out the Premier or any other politician on this forum will make a difference?
May I suggest you go out there in your community and try to fix some of the ills you are complaining about.
Again, I am not here to defend the Premier or any other politician. Quite frankly, it does not matter who runs the government or who is in office. There are some of you no matter what will always complain.
This is why no decent person would waste they life trying to contest election because they see daily that they will be trashed regardless. In a world of possibilities, wise people make better choices, and just observe.
You get what you get, and many of you are part of the problem rather than the solution.
Grow a pair. If you are man/woman enough to throw stones, show your hands.
Yes sir.
He is incompetent in fact,
as the Minister of Finance, is within his duty to know how much money the government had spend on deportation .
As to whether one voted or not, remember that the only reason Mr INCOMPETENT is the Premier,, is because the lady went over, and you know well what I’m talking about..
Your post indicates that you’re not prepared to consider the opinions of those who cannot vote. More than 50% of the Territory’s population are not allowed to vote even though many have lived and contributed to the Territory’s tax coffers for decades, but in your mind, their observations and comments have no merit. At one point do you discount the expertise and skills outsiders bring here because they can’t vote?
We are thinking the same thing…those are his favorite words…..Shame.
The UK offered to provide assistance on this subject which the BVI government declined to take, it’s probably not too late to admit you were wrong and accept their support, if, it’s still available, and, arrogance dose not prevent you from doing so.
and everyday immigration full collecting money.
I take it hes not a math Wise, None the Less, Yall spending money where it supposed to not art to go,please get it together mr premier
idk if I asking too much but I feel like the finance minister supposed to always have the figures or at least always have quick access to the figures when asked about them.
if the Premier requested the Governor to bring in the Royal Navy to secure the sea borders of BVI this immigration problem and other smuggling activities would cease. Once smuggling of humans, weapons, ammo, drugs and cash is stopped AT SEA by the Royal Navy all the problems associated with smuggling will permanently end in the BVI.
Unfortunately the current Premier is the apostle of the incarcerated premier … is incapable of any leadership on the smuggling issue so he just complains like the rest of the BVI residents.
Only 37 more days left for this t**l.
Let’s do the math 30(illegal immigrants)x300 (a day for hotel stay) equals 9000. Not sure what other cost he’s talking about maybe they’re paying cops to watch the illegals while they’re housed and the numbers I put up are rough numbers but I’m not seeing how it’s costing millions. If I’m gonna be honest some people really need to go back to school if they plan to talk about numbers in the future.
To Anonymous etal. Do this math. 134 inmates in prison at $500.00 per day.Say no more.
The BVI so stupid! The Coke and illegals are all headed for US shores, but we sit back and let the US takes the drugs and we take the people. LOL!
Couldn’t agree with you MORE
Let the ppl. Continue on their way — give them food and water. And wish them well
Same S**T happening ion the CFUISE. SHIPS but them only bragging about number of cruise passengers —- it’s USA them heading —- let them GOOO
obviously there is something wrong in the bvi. is it the united states citizen and immigration services (USCIS), department of homeland security (DHS) or immigration and naturalization services (INS)? it is the us department of state travel documents? is it the us embassy or the us consulate? is it the US FBI or the US CIA of the US DEA? where all of a sudden there is a tremendous problem with immigration in the bvi?
You can’t be serious! From the get go of BVI calling thenselves building up the VI with the low hanging fruits of the Caribbean,the bottom of the barrel,en masse…it should have been evident that something was amiss with the Immigration system in these VI.
This is an ongoing and obvious flagrant destructive system that is soo obvious from the beginning of “building up”.
Nothing new.. a plan of action by the depraved that are elected by us…we are sooo used to be used and abused,we can’t help ourselves from creating such a system for our need to be wallowing in being boastful ” victims”.
This dominant demographic which has been replicated by “us” can only sink our shores as it has done in all of the upper Caribbean countries.
Millions of our tax dollars given out to house,feed ,clothe and transport illegal immigrants,comprising of murderers,beggars,prison escapees among all sorts ,millions spent to entertain, pacify and house the ones who were “legally”imported and installed along with their new births contribution..No room for any more in the prison built by the UK in anticipation of their arrival.
Self destruct is the mantra of Black folks.
No miracle big enough to save these VI. It is worse than we can imagine and daily it becomes even more so,free fall from all angles.
Why not house them in the Joes Hill slum development?
The finance minister never has the figures. There are none. No record keeping.
This l**tic of accidental premier/minister of fonance could never give an amswer on his behalf.Ask his advisors then cause this boi is no more than a ahole.Ask him about parties yes I’m aware ask him about his his boi Andrew no comments.UK pls.come and do so soon
Why paying for Hotels fees when u could just hold them up balson ghut are 4oad town police station for free of charge
Nope
No room up Balsum, Balsam is full to the max with the legal immigrants we imported and installed along with their children they have produced in their quest to ” buildup” the VI.
Legal and illegal immigrants,all are sucking the Country dry one way or another.
Nope! No
room at Balsum. Balsum is home to! a locally permanent overflowing and interchangeable criminal immigrant group of a different group along with their spawns of a different kind.
ITS NOT ABOUT THE MESSENGER ITS ABOUT THE MESSAGE , and I think styles responce was well put , DUHHHH
I like the way you handled that joker ,( WHO only interested in who you voted for or if you voted , this place is full of nerds so sometimes we just got ignore them / at the rate our Dr is flexing off himself with the free jamz , them alone will end up in the millions / how much he spending on renting from family &
friends , instead of repairing buildings that is owned by the government and building new buildings that will be owned the government ❓️
The immigration problem is causing us millions because you all allow it to become a problem. I am here working, struggling to feed, shelter and clothe my family and you all taking my tax money and feeding those people. Send their a$$es back out to sea.All the illegals that is coming here is criminals the worst of the worst that their Country don’t want. They are not looking for a better life that is the game. I AM SICK OF THESE PEOPLE COMING INTO THIS TERRITORY ILLEGAL STAYING IN HOTELS, GETTING FREE FOOD, FREE SERVICES, FREE EVERY DAMN THING ON THE TAXPAYERS MONEY.
Hold on… let him cook
At the rate these illegals are floating in our waters and climbing our hills to the US destinations,we could find our Lil BVI blockaded and isolated.
The safety of the other parts of the World is in jeopardy with this unhindered open pathway and realistic effort to block the flow,has been rejected.
Ramifications by powerful and affected countries is a real possibility..LOL to keep from crying!!!
The land that is being prep for the foolish Premier music fest, why not set up tents for the illegals that is caught or better yet turn the illegals loose up in the Premiers district.
You have some veteran officers who recently retired.
Hire them for two years and bring back credibility to the service. Geese
I just dont know why yall dont deport them people back to them home countries instead of keeping them in a hotel that is not free!
or start building a detention center either way what yall doing right now ain wukkin!!
How anything gonna get better when you catch them and put them in hotel and feed them until they eventually escape from your custody … we need to send a message that you are screwed anytime we catch you in our waters illegally.
Do t detain, deport. Put them on the next flight out. None should be here more than 48 hours!!
I seriously wonder what is the USVI cost or expense in this regard. I think they are very good at minimizing their cost. They are very good at ensuring that illegal boat people don’t enter their territorial waters.
Foreign artist music concerts costing us millions.
I say that these aliens or illegal immigrants who is plaguing the BVI need to be forced to work hard like: cleaning up the streets, cutting the bushes, other things (Without Pay) until they can repatriate them back to their country.
Those who escape from the Tourist Ships, make the Ship pay a huge fine