BVI News

Increased fines, jail time for harbouring illegal immigrants

Amid news that a traveller who was denied entry escaped quarantine and is now on the run in the BVI, Cabinet has increased the penalties for people who harbour illegal immigrants.

The penalty is now $100,000.00 and 10 years imprisonment for:

1. a person assisting with or making arrangements for a person to enter the territory illegally

2. a person who knowingly harbours an illegal person for a period of more than two days.

The fine for this crime was previously three thousand dollars and two years imprisonment.

Cabinet has also given the Chief Immigration Officer the powers to compound offences and administer penalties for persons in contravention of the Immigration and Passport Act & Regulations.

The Chief Immigration Officer has also been given the powers to administer on-the-spot fines to persons in contravention of the Passport & Immigration Act.

This week, Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley said the traveller who recently escaped quarantine in the BVI is yet to be captured by the authorities.

The man — a citizen of Dominican Republic — was reportedly refused entry at the airport on December 20 and placed under quarantine at Lambert Beach.

Transportation was arranged for him to be taken to the airport and leave the territory on December 21. However, the authorities did not see him when they checked his room.

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17 Comments

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  1. Lol says:

    Hahahah
    Andrew Fahie and his circus is the laughing stock to the entire world now
    $100,000 you say
    Go get a life
    Or better yet go find a next way to rip ppl off there money
    Cause this one won’t work
    This virus killing the wrong set of ppl

    Like 12
    Dislike 24
  2. Reactionary says:

    Too many times, Government is Reactionary, rather than Visionary. Lack of imagination has allowed more disasters than one would like to acknowledge.

    Perhaps Government should consider what value they are receiving from the multi-million-dollar lottery giveaway, which jokingly calls itself the Security Industry in this territory. Perhaps the House should consider collecting a malpractice claim against the Keystone Cops who were entrusted with safeguarding public health and welfare, rather than continuing to pay out like a rigged St. Maarten slot machine.

    Security? I think not. Stick to the real professionals if you expect someone be guarded and actually secure. There are plenty of real law enforcement – intelligent, vigilant and trained professionals available. Stop hiring your pals to guard the Fort. You aren’t doing us any favours.

    Like 17
    Dislike 2
  3. Rubber Duck says:

    But pull off an armed robbery and get a slap on the wrist.

    Ride an illegal noisy scooter and the law will smile on you.

    Like 25
    Dislike 4
  4. Doh says:

    What a joke we are….

    Our officials can’t find one person. So we make obscene fines and imprisonment for harboring illegals? Lol.

    Since the government can’t do their job, let us help. Make a reward of $5000 to find this person. I would bet he would be found in an hour.

    It’s funny that since we have lost all regular revenue streams the government has gone to assessing gross and overbearing fines as a means of income. Sorry but that will not work

    Like 13
    Dislike 5
  5. BVI says:

    What about the same Prison time and fines for illegal firearms and ammunitions?

    Like 27
  6. 1st district says:

    This government spouting new laws out their axxxx all over and over. As for Corona, black is white! But them OLD LAWS FROM JIMMY FULLER TIME THEM AIN’T REVISIT AND RENEWING THEM TO ENHANCE THE TRUE VALUE OF THE BVI. HERE WE ARE IN 21ST CENTURY LIVING AMONG ANIMALS WITH HIGH MORTGAGES PAYING THE BANK. WHAT ON GOING MESS WE PASSING ON TO YET ANOTHER GENERATION. SEND HELP!!

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  7. The Truth says:

    A little insignificant spot on the map that hating bloggers say is done for everyday, yet people break their necks trying to get here. Amazing.

    Like 6
    Dislike 5
  8. Hmm says:

    Should be for harbouring all wanted persons not just illegal ones.

  9. Styles says:

    What about holding Vincy Wheatley accountable for mistake after mistake after mistake???

  10. Wait What says:

    When you can run someone over with a boat and kill them, you don’t even get a speeding ticket here. How about at least enforcing the rules you have first.

  11. Peaches says:

    That fine is ridiculously high. Put a fine on them that they would be able to pay, plus a certain amount of years behind bars. That way the government will still get some funds in its coffers. 100,000.00? who can find that?

  12. John Wayne Gacy says:

    “Cabinet has also given the Chief Immigration Officer the powers to compound offences and administer penalties for persons in contravention of the Immigration and Passport Act & Regulations”

    Yes but that won’t happen with a c****** chief.

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