Penn appointed Chief Immigration Officer after long stint of acting
After occupying the post of Acting Chief Immigration Officer for more than six years, Ian Penn has finally been appointed to the position of Chief Immigration Officer (CIO).
A government-commissioned media release on Tuesday said Penn’s appointment commenced from September 3.
As CIO Penn will be tasked with “ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the Immigration Department and the supervision of all staff and will be responsible for providing expert advice and guidance to the government on various immigration matters including policy issues, legislative reviews and analysis.”
“Additionally, Mr. Penn continues to lead his team in the implementation of the strategic plan and objectives to achieve solutions for the Immigration Department while forging partnerships across the Public Service,” the release added.
He will also continue to communicate with the respective ministries, departments and other agencies in an effort to collaborate on joint border and security activities as the territory continues to strengthen its border security.
Issue of not appointing Penn was brought before SFC
In 2019, the issue of not appointing Penn as CIO was raised in the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) deliberations by Opposition legislator Julian Fraser after the position had been vacant for more than half a decade.
It was said during the deliberations that Penn was acting in the post since 2014, took study leave in 2016 and returned to the department in 2017.
While no clear indication was given as to why he was not appointed, it was revealed that the decision to appoint Penn was ultimately up to the Immigration Ministry.
February interview hinted that Penn was to be confirmed
In a follow-up interview in February 2020, Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley said that it was his intention to confirm Penn to the post of CIO.
Qualifications
Penn gained accreditation as an International Civil-Commercial Mediator in 2017. He also obtained his Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice in 2019 at the Bar from Manchester Metropolitan University and a Certificate of Standing from the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn.
Penn has been a member of the Immigration Department for approximately 33 years.
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Well done Mr Ian. About time to give you your dues. You’re a fair man. I’m delighted for you. God Bless you.
He has done an excellent job at immigration – maybe he needs to be put in charge of Labour as well.
MR PENN CONGRALUATION YOU HAVE RO KEEP A STAMP ON THE ISLAND PEOPLE CLEAN UP THE COUNTRY DI NOYT ALLOW OUR COUNTRY TO BECONE A DOWN ISLAND TRAFFIC GOOD JOB
You sound so stupid. Then you want to take offense when the whites treats black like they are nobodies when you are no better. Cannot add any substance to a discussion… fool
Owner is because of you and others that think with dirty mind that is why God is sending all those diseases and plague on man kind
You are an ignorant uneducated fool, your God has nothing to do with this it’s a world pandemic, are you living in the 18th century ?
D**d on a*****l!!
slow news day,this happened in September
Why Vincent doesn’t confirm some people to land. Empty young people promises.
strups.
that’s news
I serve a living God and he is bigger than you owner and others that think like you satan will be welcoming you all in h**l.
Hey owner, ah you small island people still living in the dark ages? Ah you still does make dark brown cake, by using brown sugar? Well shut your pie hole ah you way behind time, our educated minds have to come up there and fill top spots because ah you too dunce and backwards.
Hey you dry rock Tolian, stop calling down island people, I just read in our local papers over the weekend that Anguilla, BVI and Monserrat which are British Overseas Territories and small islands, that is down islanders children who top CSEC, so ah you could look good.
It’s mentioned that the Anguillian top CSEC performer got all 11 1’s with 9 triple A profiles for your duncy azz that’s 9 distinctions and her mother is Vincy, so leave island people alone, where they are heading you can’t even begin to dream of going.
Leave Anguilla out your mess. We are not confusion people.
Congrats, now confirm others who are deserving.
Congrats Mr. Penn. You are a smart and fair man. You lead with not only your head but also your heart.
Continue to be a good man.
Agradecido de ti hermano y te felicito por que con otro directores me isieron la vida difícil, pero usted es justo y preciso hoy lo felicito por que BVI tiene en ese puesto un hombre de honor y con buenas formación profesional