Premier denies Belongership application backlog
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has dismissed concerns shared by Governor John Rankin that his government is having difficulty with a large backlog of applications for Belongership and Residence in the territory.
Governor Rankin has repeatedly made those claims in recent months, particularly in his progress reports on the implementation of Commission of Inquiry (COI) governance reforms, and has even offered technical assistance and suggestions on how to fast-track the processing of those applications.
However, Dr Wheatley said the absence of a clear definition of the word ‘backlog’ has presented a misleading message.
“While we’re working towards providing applicants with a more defined processing period, in my view, we do not consider applications that were submitted since June 2022 – which represents 74 percent of pending applications – as backlog applications,” Dr Wheatley said at a press briefing yesterday.
Belonger applications made prior to June 2022, Dr Wheatley explained, only numbered about 245, while applications for residence were 469.
“The great majority of applications that we’re referring to as backlog, are persons here below 20 years and all of those applications came in after June 1, [2022],” the Premier said.
Dr Wheatley explained that this reported backlog only came after his government had already agreed to a framework for implementation of the COI recommendations, allowing persons who had been in the territory for more than 10 years to now apply for Belongership in accordance with the law.
The Premier assured persons who had been awaiting the processing of their applications that his government was committed to dealing with them in a fair and transparent manner.
He further said the government is now in the process of appointing a new chair to the Immigration Board and also appointing additional board members which he said will help with the processing of pending applications.
“I’ve already submitted a plan of action to the governor for addressing the pending applications. So that is another testament to our commitment to this process,” the Premier expressed.
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Meyson we don’t owe these people nothing…They have a privilege to be here and that’s enough.
Governor, you worried about backlog of belonger applications. I worried about the fact that you and all previous governors have always been responsible for national security and national security as we speak has completely deteriorated under all of you all’s watch. Fix it!
Who can demand of the Home Office in the UK to process applications for leave to remain in the UK more quickly. Do they not deny applications many times. Do they not take ages to decide. What about the Caribbeans who lived in UK since childhood (more than 20, 30 years) who the UK sought to deport.
Premier is right. Stop calling it a backlog. Or else everywhere in the world is backlog x 100.
Premier i have to say different i’m a bvi lander by birth i have been married over 7 yrs and my wifehave been here for over 19yrs we have 2 children 17 and 15 and up to this day my wife still waiting on belongers status where is the fairness i am not a person to go begging for favors especially when its one right to obtain something.
Seeing as they make up 70% of the workforce, rent the majority of apartments and are the lions share of the skill labour and heathcare industries,
We may be the ones lucky to have them.
Maybe when the mass exodus of Caribbean expats happens, followed by the influx of brits who will come and nudge us out of your cushy office jobs, while renting from their fríends while your apartment rots…
Maybe then we will cherish what we have
Aaaaaaand, another example of Natalio not wanting to take responsibility for something going wrong.
Does this guy ever say: Indeed this is not right, this needs fixing? HE never does this.
If everything was fine Natalio, this country wouldn’t be in shambles. FIX IT, or resign.
is from 1970’s NOT 2022!
Excuses and Obfuscation
““The great majority of applications that we’re referring to as backlog, are persons here below 20 years and all of those applications came in after June 1, [2022],” the Premier said.”
What seems clear is that the government doesn’t want to live with what the law says, and is busy hedging and hoping they can some how dodge dealing with those who qualify under the laws of the BVI.
Grade: FAIL
No you don’t owe anything but it’s basic decency and respect to process people’s application in a timely manner. Give them a yes or no but don’t have applications sitting for well over a year (and yes, I have proof of applications sitting for over a year).
Why it taking to song to tell somebody a yes or no? If you don’t want to give it to them tell them no and done. We don’t owe nobody nothing but an answer.
I don’t know who is telling stories at this point if it is The Office of The Premier or the Immigration Department.
My application is sitting there for over a year and I am over the 20 year mark. But according to them – they don’t have any appointments available, but everyday people who applied after me are getting appointments for an interview.
How hard is it to review an application and say yes or no?
To the leaders in Education and HR, Deputy Gov. and other. Please read and hopefully act. I have been waiting to receive my increments for well over close to fifty years now. I have been retired for a long time and still no increments have come. I am still being owed. That is wrong.
It is morally wrong. To have any one work their entire life and not pay him/her what is due her/him is a crime against her/his humanity.
What is the rational justification for their moral judgments? I have taught for three decades plus. Moreover, I was deliberately denied increments for eighteen of those years. When that evil was finally corrected, God bless the angels who did, it was nowhere close to what I would have earned in actuality. The few pennies have since been eaten up by the high cost of living.
Today I am close to begging bread. Today, I watch and wait for my increments owed. Today, I watch and wait as those same people who kept me in oppression are still keeping me in oppression, while they eat from butter from both sides of their bread. But God don’t sleep!
Hence, sit is now going close to fifty years that increments are still being owed to me.
This is antithetical to decency, fairness, Godliness ethics and good morals.
Where is the moral compass of the people in leadership?
Where does one who has been ravaged financially throughout his entire teaching career find patience from in his sunset years?
My daughter living here since she was 2 weeks of age, now she is 22years old. Applied since May 2021 and has not even received a recognition of her application. over the past two years.
This guy is now becoming like TRUMP. responds to everything and say anything, factual or not. Just say something.
This guy and his antics!
I have been waiting for my Residency since 2011 and yet to hear anything other than “Your last name aint reach yet” when my last name starts with A!
SMH mehson
Answers so so many questions. I wonder if the premier would consider a time period of over a year to be a “backlog” if he was waiting for a cancer diagnosis? Different yes but let’s be realistic. This is exactly why the issues with government are systemic and not isolated. Seriously. Wtf!?
I am a BVIslander . I love people so here is my unbiased opinion
I have seen educated expatriates married BVi slander especially the expatriates women . They work alongside their husbands like men , support and help raise their children and we BVI men treat them like dirt . On the otherhand, expatriate men marry BVI women and used them to get stay and bring in their families. The world is not fair but we must give justice to each one
Show respect for each other and respectfully exist in peace . We cannot continue to live with hatred for each other. This is unhealthy and helping to destroy our society. Give the people their status . There is no need to be xenophobic. This is Gods earth .
We need to implement that 7 year rule {asap} where they have to leave and reapply to comeback or else we are going to lose this country….We are already outnumbered and our graduates cant find jobs.
THESE PEOPLE BELONGS TO SOME PLACE ALREADY
I applied since 2020 and still waiting since the ‘one woman’ show processing applications takes bribes. I aint paying her for it.
deny all of them then there’s no backlog… problem solved
Lets try to help him out
backlog
noun
an accumulation of uncompleted work or matters needing to be dealt with.
Pretty much everything the government does then
The fact is these people are racism!! sad and poor menthalities no respect for governor descicion or coi how ever i know people are tittle to belonger or residents and nothing yet they kept telling they will call and nothing like if they have to beg for their rights! having children born and grow up here is terrible the way been treated them. stop you nonsens !! and do the right to the right ones!
The BVI will sugfer dearly because of the disrespectful way they treat expatriates and belongers . They feel dem and their families can treat you like dogs just because you are not grom here and they all look the other way
1. Taking social security money and not paying in – nobody putting anything in place for the victims
2. Owners of many private businesses waiting until two and three weeks into the month before you are paid
3. Even christian businesses working you overtime and not paying overtime wages
4. Same Business owners who not paying on time nor over time threatening to put immigration on you if you take a four or five hours extra work to help pay your bills
5. Charging you exorbitant prices for rent and not fixing items for years
6. Knocking on your door as soon as the clock strikes the end of the month
7. Vex if you drive a vehicle that looks decent and you renting from them … My black brothers abd sistets crueltu does not becomes is
When Ralph and the rest of the populist Premiere would bully new residents/belongers by telling them it’s a privilege and your not intitled to being a bvislander..no governors piped up.
2000+ applications is not a backlog? This premier needs to go and look up the meaning of the word “backlog”. Give me the job to process the applications and I will process 100 per week! In 20+ weeks I would be done! As opposed to the current crop of Immigration staff who have the applications dragging on for years. SMH.
I am one of those people too. Been here over 20 years and still waiting for a call for an interview for my Belonger’s application. Just say yes or no and don’t have me waiting…..
They pay all the taxes too.
The BVI needs to stop this nonsense with this belonger garbage ..it needs to close down for atleast 10 years.
Many expats have rented apartments and they are just as high as the Locals’ apartment
so what’s the point.
The backlog would have not been there if they had change that 10 year belonger status nonsense. The Bvi is too small for that 10year belonger status.
If the country is in shambles why are persons here still fighting for status?
I don’t think you are from the BVI.
Presently I’m lying on my couch in Fat Hogs Bay hearing some noisy Vincencians .Can’t here my ears.
They have nothing good to say about the BVI But still they can’t leave.
I dont know why Natalio don’t call Ralph Gonzalez to keep some of his people up there.
Blind man you are lying.
I agree