BVI News

Officials responding to cases of Haitians seeking asylum in BVI

File photo of a boat of Haitians. (Photo Credit: Flamingo Magazine)

There are cases of Haitians seeking diplomatic asylum in the British Virgin Islands as the french creole-speaking nation plunges deeper into lawlessness because of a recent upsurge in gang violence which has claimed the lives of hundreds of Haitians and displaced thousands.

The volatility had been happening for the last several months but worsened in the past few weeks.

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley was among the CARICOM heads of government who met in the Bahamas last week to discuss the crisis, among other things.

“The deteriorating situation in Haiti is very important for the Virgin Islands as we ourselves continue to see a steady stream of Haitians fleeing their country and arriving on our shores through human trafficking or drifting ashore by boat or raft. Our law enforcement agencies, security personnel and other public officers are all doing their best to appropriately respond to these arrivals, including asylum cases and repatriations,” Premier Wheatley said in a press statement on Monday.

“We are doing our best to look after the welfare of our Haitian brothers and sisters who face an unfortunate set of circumstances. A regional and hemispheric response to the collapse of law and order in Haiti is urgently needed, which CARICOM, Canada and other partners are working on. My administration will remain engaged with CARICOM as things develop to help inform our own local response to handling the cases of Haitians who have ended up on our shores after fleeing their home,” the Premier added.

CARICOM leaders have planned a meeting in Jamaica, while another meeting on security and law and order will be held in Haiti in the very near future.

Another thing that CARICOM discussed was the urgent need to strengthen security on the ground and restore overall stability in Haiti.

“It was particularly helpful that Canadian Prime Minister the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau was present for some of the discussions. He reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to assisting Haiti in partnership with CARICOM,” Dr Wheatley said.

Canada is sending navy vessels to Haiti for intelligence-gathering as part of efforts to quell worsening gang violence in the Caribbean nation, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.

“We need to work on long-lasting solutions that will restore order and security, allow for essential aid to flow to those who urgently need it, and create the conditions for free and fair elections so that the Haitian people can live in a stable and democratic society,” the Canadian Prime Minister said in a statement last Thursday.

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42 Comments

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  1. Too small says:

    This place is too small. Send them to Canada.

    Like 25
    Dislike 4
  2. Go woke - go broke says:

    First Arden in New Zealand, then Sturgeon in Scotland – surely Trudeau in Canada is next to fall on his sword.

    Like 7
    Dislike 3
  3. Caribbean Brother says:

    Its really time we stand together with Haiti and get these issues resolved because as they have an ongoing situation that will inevitably affects us all. Together we stand!!

    Like 12
    Dislike 19
  4. VI Gyal says:

    Canadian Prime Minister have heart. I like him.

    Over there just needs an intervention. GOod governance and strong leadership and top security to curb the violence.

    Like 10
    Dislike 2
  5. inflammatory picture - really? says:

    Huge issues in Haiti and a real refugee / migrant challenge for the region. A proper problem, with few viable solutions. But really though, is this picture what you chose?

    Like 3
    Dislike 3
  6. Is that a Tortola Sloop? says:

    Looks like it’s in good condition.

  7. Elsa says:

    BVI is plagued with gun violence. Lets send a barge to Haiti to accompany the ship from Canada.

  8. Mermaid says:

    Another glaring example of Blacks and their incessant display of kill my brothers kill my economy kill kill. Suicidal manianical ungrateful.
    Tears for Usain Bolt!!

    Like 6
    Dislike 5
  9. While- says:

    While I am all for people taking risks and seeking out to live a better life, the BVI is not the place. Even the local people are struggling to get by nevertheless newcomers.

    Like 27
    Dislike 1
  10. BVI says:

    send them any other French Country – they the FRENCH are in this and RESPONSIBLE THE CONDITION THAT PLUGE THIS COUNTRY HAITI – WHO WON’T KNOW WHO IS COMING. YOU JUST CAN’T LET EVERY ONE WHO COMES IN – SORRY

    Like 18
    Dislike 1
  11. Big up BVI says:

    send them any other French Country – they the FRENCH are in this and RESPONSIBLE THE CONDITION THAT PLUGE THIS COUNTRY HAITI – WHO WON’T KNOW WHO IS COMING. YOU JUST CAN’T LET EVERY ONE WHO COMES IN – SORRY- WATCH CANADA NOW TALKING TO BVI ABOUT CARI-COM WATCH WHAT THEY SAY THERE IS ALWAYS AN UNDERLYING REASON FOR INVOLVEMENT. BE CAREFUL WHO YOU ARE VETTING – THEY COME AND NEVER INVEST BUT TAKE OUT AND DESTROY – PLEASE TAKE A WATCHFUL EYE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE BVI. BVI DID NOT GET WHERE THEY ARE – YES – YES BY HARD – HARD WORK – WORK.

    Like 4
    Dislike 1
  12. noooooooooooooooooo says:

    Send them to France

    Like 13
    Dislike 1
  13. nnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh says:

    Send them Guadeloupe and Martinique and St.Marteen for they all all french

    Like 15
    Dislike 1
  14. uh says:

    The French politician system is still highly racist that’s why they wont bat an eye at Haiti and got kicked out of multiple African countries recently apparently for training & arming the terrorist they were invited to fight.

    This Haiti mess is deliberately brewed up.

    Like 8
    Dislike 6
  15. gangs says:

    The gangs need to have their support cut off, being provided by outside forces. As far as I know arms are not made in Haiti.

    Like 10
    Dislike 1
  16. @While says:

    I strongly agree with your Comment. The BVI is only so big. We still have folks who sustained displacement from Irmaria and can’t get any assistance from nowhere. So why in the hell will we be accepting Immigrants or Refugees to add to the HAVOC we are experiencing. It’s rather bad enough to be housing illegal immigrants on Tax Payers Back and wouldn’t pay Government Employees their Increments. The Lawlessness of this Territory will be more becoming disgraceful. Some People coming here don’t have an iota of remorse or recourse for this Territory. They come feeling that in the name of Humanity, we must accept and surrender to their entitlement s.

    Like 17
    Dislike 1
  17. Rubber Duck says:

    Haiti became independent in 1804 ffs. France has nothing to do with it.

    Like 6
    Dislike 2
  18. Secret Ways says:

    Why are these Haitians coming to the British Virgin Islands?

    Why can’t they go the larger islands or go to Central and North & South America

    We are too small to accommodate these people. We have our own problems to take care of. We have enough crime and violence here.

    We are presently under Direct Rule by the UK. Let them go to the French and Dutch Places. Not here.

    Like 6
    Dislike 2
  19. Rush More says:

    Looking at the drifting container of suffering melanated cargo is to me our reflection going forward drifting for centuries while blaming the UK.
    Our neighboring island folks to whom we gave liberation and a haven with the freedom of earning US dollars,while their presence with its cultural practices created an undesirable useless killing field,poor education and globs of poverty..,they will freely be committing our genocide daring us to enter on their soil.

    FREE and independent yesirree
    Independent and free of our Soul and human Spirit not wanted no longer useful.

  20. The TRUTH says:

    Your ignorance is truly astounding.

  21. But says:

    Except it has been paying France compensation ever since independence, which is the first reason it was impoverished. Second reason is because none of the white countries could allow it to become successful because it would set a bad example of what happens when slaves revolt. Now the US wants to control it, so it stays a big old historical mess. Is France part of that? Hell yes.

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  22. pray says:

    the very gang members will be coming too

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  23. Rubber Duck says:

    Haiti stopped paying France anything 75 years ago. It hasnt improved much since then.

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  24. Wow says:

    No empathy at all….really Sad

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  25. Whatt says:

    I had a friend that was Haiti. I could never forget what he told me. He said Tortola is a really nice place and he has worked in a few other countries. He also said that we should not allow too many people from Haiti to live here because most of the people here are to kind. If we allow them here they will end up destroying this country with numerous crimes which would be sad.

    Like 7
    Dislike 1
  26. @Whatt says:

    BVI is paying dearly for the folly. There is no turning back unfortunately.
    Zero crime not too long 3or so police men doubling as Immugration Officers to 75 unsolved murders currently, locked doors,armed dangerous school children.
    Roaming foreign Police Force numbering in the hundreds

    The enemies look like us!!!

    Your friend issued that warning to you.

    Jesus issued that same warning in ( Matthew 7:6)
    …Do not cast your pearls before swines, Do not give dogs what is sacred.

    Swines and dogs are unclean animals.

  27. Reality says:

    Haiti is over 500 miles downwind of the BVI. Only airplanes can bring Haitians direct to the BVI. The preferred route is they fly from Port au Prince to St. Martin, next sail downwind in small boats towards the BVI then ask for asylum IF they arrive alive here OR they continue west into USVI and PR to disappear in the USA. Just let the boat Haitians pass through on their quest for USA anonymity.

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  28. Shallow water says:

    Learn your history Duck. Your comments are usually more insightful than this.

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  29. Vladimir says:

    I say let them into bvi. They can build more housing, work in tourism, and business and will be thankful that they are here.

    Better than what a belonger would do

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
  30. @caribbeanbrother says:

    If we do as you say then the problems in Haiti will most certainly come to the BVI.

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  31. @uh says:

    Knuckledragger! That makes no sense whatsoever; the French military training terrorists and then fighting them? You ought to think harder.

  32. @Vlad says:

    Because they did such a great job with Haiti, right?

  33. Wtf says:

    How do you “drift ashore” in BVi from Haiti? Our winds go east to west….

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  34. Sam says:

    Too much devil worship. So to say but until Haitians stop this nonsense God will continue to look the other way.

  35. Jjngoloba says:

    Haiti needs to do a better job with itself. The violence corruption and self hatred non stop is what have them stagnant and stuk in a quick sand of poverty and disgrace.
    In addition to France’s horrific treatment the consistent self anhialation of Haiti is beyond comprehension. For years it has been at War with itself,literally. A reality beyond comprehension.

  36. Napoleon says:

    Send them home with a warning to straighten up and do better or starve.,,,And mean it !
    They have enough ,beyond enough for sustenance and quality life and in addition ” they are free independent self Governing .. don’t have t o answer or report to anyone but themselves. Lux with Blessngs but !hey are simply creatures of self destructive habit. In a world where they are connected to the outside and hear see and and learn to function to survive and thrive there is no reason or excuse.

  37. Secret Bear says:

    Even the biggest countries in the world claim they don’t have enough room for immigrants/refugees.

    Try having some compassion.

  38. ??? says:

    Your ancestors taught us.

  39. why is this our problem? says:

    We are already small. So they must come here to increase the crime rate. They don’t even understand our culture or language. Get out of here with this nonsense. BVI is the only place to have compassion? Please, again, get out of here with this nonsense.

  40. Why? says:

    Why? Because they are refugees. They are running from a bad situation looking for refuge. They are looking for somewhere that is close by because they are desperate.
    There but for the grace of God go I.
    Remember that passage?

  41. Richard says:

    Might as well let them in. We’re going to be like Haiti if we get independence

  42. ???? says:

    Go and read about it SMH

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