Premier slams proposed Customs and Immigration merger
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has dismissed a proposed merger of the Virgin Islands Customs and Immigration departments, calling it an ill-advised recommendation from the United Kingdom’s second volume of the law enforcement review.
The proposal, part of a broader effort to restructure the territory’s law enforcement agencies, has drawn strong opposition from the Premier, who believes it would further reduce local elected officials’ autonomy.
“It’s my understanding that there’s a recommendation for Immigration and Customs to go under the Governor,” the Premier explained on a recent airing of the Morning Braff show. “That recommendation was made by this independent agency. I have to say to you, that’s a recommendation that I do not agree with.” Dr Wheatley suggested that the recommendation in the yet-to-be-published review would take the territory in the wrong direction and mean less responsibility for locally elected officials.
He urged the public to reject it outright.
“I would just say to the people of the Virgin Islands, wake up. We’ve got to wake up. I’ve been speaking about this colonialism thing for some time. Some people don’t want to hear about it. We are capable, as any people, of being able to manage our own society,” Wheatley insisted.
According to Wheatley, the territory has laws that dictate how the Customs and Immigration departments operate, highlighting that lawmaking still resides with elected officials. “Unless you have an Order in Council enacted, then the legislature still has the responsibility of making laws,” the Premier stressed.
“We have to maintain the ability to make laws for ourselves so we can speak to our own representatives and instruct them as to what we want to see in the Virgin Islands.”
‘This recommendation will be rejected’
The law enforcement review was commissioned following the 2021 Commission of Inquiry (COI) to reform the BVI’s governance structures. However, Wheatley suggested that external recommendations do not always align with the local context.
The Premier’s stance aligns with concerns raised by other government officials, who argue that the UK’s recommendations often overlook progress made by local institutions. A previous volume of the law enforcement review was described as “skewed and demoralising” by Health Minister Vincent Wheatley, who noted that it failed to acknowledge improvements in the territory’s law enforcement agencies.
Despite Governor Daniel Pruce’s assertion that the review is an opportunity to improve governance, Premier Wheatley maintains that any structural changes must be led by those who understand the territory’s unique challenges.
Discussions on the proposed merger remain ongoing, but Dr Wheatley has made it clear that his administration will resist any changes that do not serve the best interests of the BVI.
“I would go as far as to say that particular recommendation will be rejected by this government,” the Premier added.
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Well, how are those 2 departments doing? Has anything funny been going on there?
Get your ducks in a row before you throw the baby out with the bath water.
Premier, I am one of the persons who was waiting for the leader to emerge. I stand with the Premier and his Government on this one, and all BVISLANDERS see this for what it is a power grab and an opportunity to give away more native rights.
So, the only reason to reject this is because this is seen as some form of “colonialism”? In other words, the messenger not the message is the problem? What “unique challenge” is there that makes the proposed merger not worthy of further consideration?
We wouldn’t want a Fair Efficient Honest system very uncaribbean
To bring another retired UK citizen to fill this gap
Because the premier disagrees it probably means it is a good idea for the people of the VI. Just not for corrupt politicians, friends and family.
This isn’t the first time that the Department of Immigration has come within a hair’s breadth of being under the control of the Governor. The previous occasion was in the early 1990’s when I was repeatedly refused permission to enter the BVI.
The story is told in my book “For the Sake of the Children”.
https://www.studiopublications.org/product-page/for-the-sake-of-the-children
That’s not true Roger Burnett. Stop lying
It is true
In response to Forbidden Truth.
The truth I have spoken is fully documented in FCO records that date back to Peter Penfold’s term as governor.
Could be a good idea… anything to improve the sclerotic process of entering the territory by air or boat, and. But Police are under the governors purview, and they are a joke.
The Miseducation of the Negro, you have been groomed by an evil system and all that you know is that which you have been fed: power and control, but no independence of self nor thought, no real advancement of territory. Start with God. Basics of Management: Planning, Organising, Leading and Controlling. Put things in their right perspective and greater success will be the territory’s. You have failed miserably, drop some of the problematic roles, reeducate yourself aright and shoulder more as you grow in confidence and competence.
I would tell the Premier that this is a blatant misrepresentation of the truth.
They/Them/He has been instrumental in making this merger happen. Reading this in the news is almost shocking. Why would he say this when that is not the case?
BVI News, please conduct investigative journalism to uncover the real truth. Otherwise, you risk being complicit in spreading misinformation to the general public, just like this article. I’m reslly in aw right now. This has to be a mistake…. bvi news please contact the necessary agencies. Wow smh and wow, wow,wow. Imagine what other opposit of the truth the general public has been fed
I believe that he was involved and full well knew it was going to happen but that is his way of doing things.
Premier loosing ground to UK now:
1) Rejecting proposal for Governor to head Customs and Immigration departments
2) MP’s in UK Parliament non acceptance of BVI’s limited access to info of BVI registered companies
3) No annual BVI financial statments since 2018.
Maybe he should move to Guyana?? No visa needed!!
I dont ever see customs or immigration in the news for positive work done…
i bet police in the news again just now and they under governor.
you cant tell me there aren’t any illegal stuff or persons coming into the bvi we are a big transit hub but those areas under bvi goverment always quiet hardly in the news for work
police in the news for positives and negative so them clearly doing work
that just weird to me idk maybe we should try an outside person with credentials and trustworthiness to lead those departments or put them under police
This Sir is a gift thrown in your lap..It will relieve you of complicity in the on goinhg willful harborinng of illegals and illicit products,including humans and their illegal activities.
I am.ifvtheopjnion that we are on the edge of a precipice of self anhialation as a result of the open borders allowing a failure to stem the flow of drugs criminals etc into the USVI and the world at large. No good can come of this for our peopleand life in these BVI. Please quit and please Sir,relinquish your willful destruction of these,our BVI.
These VI have been nd continues to br woefully lacking in its immigration practices. Unless the USVI stumbles ona package if illegals transiting to the US under cover of darkness in our shores,the freedom all illegal entries go unintercepted. Illegals ,escapees deportees roaming these VI ,some stealing,intimidating and murdering ,they are a substantial portion of the now inhabitants of these VI. Sowande you are not of good intent.Please your lacking is disappointing and scary. I pray for Mercy from the Heavens that your dark presence will fade or be removed from your effort at hastening the tragic demise of these VI.
More of UKs blatant molestations and mal interventions into the running of the BVI government.
It is clear to the observational mind that. the current head of sates have skillfully sold out the BVI, and in doing so, has set the ground work for the recolonialisation of the BVI due to its money, weather and positional position in the global ocean.
Hence, until the colonial mentality is erased from the Brit, the BVI people, their life and livelihoods are and will continue to be constantly under threat.
And sadly, he average BVIslander is totally unawakens to the menace across the waters that will attack them one day and reverse all the progress they have achieved since emancipation.
And thought the positions extolled herein may not be popular, especially among the spies and retired cold weather escapees, the people must become more politically, historically educated and knowledgably about history and where they are positioned in it. The people’s eyes need to pried open.
Ok, That huge continent in the East should take advantage ofthe weakned head postion of. the so called strongest military in the world.
Maybe, and it is suspecedthatthey will do so, some where, someday.
The Governor is either in charge of security or he is not. What exactly have customs and immigration achieved over the last 10 years. Protected Fahie and Maynard. Tried to destroy the tourism industry. Oh and lets people into the territory illegally for money. Not really a good track record is it!!
Ain’t no group of white men anywhere will work in favor of black people in law enforcement. Keep it real.
Mmmm.
It is noticed for year orlonger that the. readers of the comments on this siteare totallyanti truth and facts.
For, each time some one posts a comment of truth, it receives no arkson the upside, but plenty on the down side.
Again,itclear who isresponsiblefor that, beyond the staff. of the site,they will conveiently crawlinto their ficticious denial mid,stick a finger up their rectum and continue a life ofdenialTypical paleskin behavior.
Makes Sense: How is it done in the UK? The same damm s**t hole way. Yet yall like washing your hateful prejudicial mind upon the local government and people.
With the record # of murderers,gangs and varied criminal illegals being deported by the US to their origins of Caribbean,North South and Central America and elsewhere near and far,the BVI gateway will become even more popular. We haven’t the facilities ,not even a prison to even slightly pretend to be cooperative and actively doing our part to apprehend offenders.I can only shudder to think about a 50% tariff imposed on these BVI by the Trump Government in keeping with his exhibited mode of operation….Gas food Bldg material, Po We, literally!
So what are the advantages of not combining Customs and Immigration? Which countries keep them separate and what are the benefits? Which countries combine them, and what are the benefits?