UK does not support free movement to OTs — Premier
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has stated that the United Kingdom does not support the free movement of people into Overseas Territories such as the Virgin Islands, noting that migration policy is not solely determined by the local government.
Dr Wheatley explained at a recent press conference that while the Virgin Islands maintains control over aspects of its immigration system, the UK’s position plays a decisive role in limiting any move toward unrestricted migration.
“I know for a fact that this is an issue of the United Kingdom government, which they don’t favour freedom of movement to any overseas territories,” Premier Wheatley said.
He added that the matter extends beyond local decision-making, pointing to constitutional arrangements between the territory and the UK. “The ability to have freedom of movement is not just within our decision-making process or our authority to give,” Dr Wheatley stated. “That also has to do with the United Kingdom government, who has given us an entrustment.”
According to the Premier, the UK’s position is linked to the legal implications of residency in Overseas Territories, which can lead to broader rights.
“Predictably, because once you become settled in an overseas territory, you will then have some rights to be naturalised as United Kingdom citizens,” he said.
Dr Wheatley further disclosed that this stance is explicitly outlined in formal arrangements between the UK and the Virgin Islands. “The entrustment letter specifically mentions freedom of movement not being supported by the United Kingdom government,” he stated.
The Premier’s comments came amid ongoing discussions about regional integration and the Virgin Islands’ pursuit of deeper ties with organisations such as CARICOM and the OECS. While reaffirming the territory’s commitment to regional cooperation, Premier Wheatley maintained that migration must be managed carefully due to the territory’s size and limited resources.
He emphasised that the government’s position should not be interpreted as opposition to Caribbean integration, noting the significant contribution of regional nationals to the Virgin Islands’ workforce and society.
Dr Wheatley also indicated that the UK’s stance would not prevent the Virgin Islands from pursuing full membership in regional organisations, stating that partners are aware of the territory’s position on migration.
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I for one am grateful that being an overseas territory of the UK, immigration into the territory is limited by UK policy. We are tiny islands where the quality of life will deteriorate with uncontrolled immigration. Too many people living on small islands with limited resources is a recipe for social and economic dysfunction.
if you want more free movement than what is taking place on these tiny islands it means you have no love for the people of these beautiful virgin Islands and you are out to cause more destruction. everyone who lives here can see free movement taking place you mean your intention is to make sure it is written down on paper?? .the free movement started since the first term of the ndp and under the vip in get worse.
Thank God!
The UK’s presumed right to claim ownership over territories, dictate the lives of populations, and direct policy decisions is a draconian mindset. It
indicates that freedom and its inalienable right are only valid if and when authorized by them. There is no difference between that policy and that of articles of human bondage.
Indeed, existence and movement of civilization is not approved unless they the UK approve of such is antiquated dictatorship. How can that be determined as civil?
Such outdated forms of dominance, rooted in colonial traditions, are incompatible with the values and realities of the modern era.
The persistence of these attitudes undermines the progress toward self-determination and equitable governance that contemporary societies strive to achieve.
Centuries later, it is an imperative that the yolk of colonialism and british neocolonialism be erased from the lives of Virgin Islanders, as their lives and freedoms are not the property of the United Kingdom.
We must begin to take our freedom. We must activate our inalienable right to freedom of life and movemeent.
May those who want and think that the Virgin Islander has no god and constitutional inalienable rights to existential freedom demonstrate by attaching their hatred of with their usual disapproval thumbs down.
Dude, the hell with what the UK think. WE don’t want free movement.
Ha ha. Not until the Financial services indusry fails and then the xenophobic ideas to stop Caricom countries and the VI having free movement now will backfire. You will not easily be able to move and find work there without free movement you could have had.
In the past people from VI went to St Thomas as economic migrants and some still do. Cuba and DR were other places that will not now be so open. Caricom as a band of brothers and sisters like Europe being open would help all with Freedom of movement.
What you will find is P487 is trying to make it look like the UK is trying to stop joining in with Caricom when the reality P487 is hell bent against it. This is just the usual trying to make the UK look bad stupidness.
What is more important as you say who cares what the UK says? But who cares what Natalio wants. He is there to serve the people not himself.
What do the VI people want. One vote from you is already in. The Legacy …. also has an opposite vote in. Tied at the moment.
P487 is giving the impression that the UK is controlling this and that got you going. The TRUTH is Natalio is controlling this and all things in the BVI. We have replaced the OLD COLONIALS with a new set who think in just the same way. Our new PLANTER MASTERS are here. Minimum wage levels are suppressed, no water and the Elite MASTERS lining up for full control when they can get from under the “yoke of the UK”, so that we will be subjugated to our NEW MASTERS with no friendly oversight from the UK once that happens to save the rest of us.
What you all need to focus on at the moment is not FREE movement but being FREE of the HOADirty13.
Ha ha. Not until the Financial services indusry fails and then the xenophobic ideas to stop Caricom countries and the VI having free movement now will backfire. You will not easily be able to move and find work there without free movement you could have had.
In the past people from VI went to St Thomas as economic migrants and some still do. Cuba and DR were other places that will not now be so open. Caricom as a band of brothers and sisters like Europe being open would help all with Freedom of movement.
What you will find is P487 is trying to make it look like the UK is trying to stop joining in with Caricom when the reality P487 is hell bent against it. This is just the usual trying to make the UK look bad stupidness.
What is more important as you say who cares what the UK says? But who cares what Natalio wants. He is there to serve the people not himself.
What do the VI people want. One vote from you is already in. The Legacy …. also has an opposite vote in. Tied at the moment.
P487 is giving the impression that the UK is controlling this and that got you going. The TRUTH is Natalio is controlling this and all things in the BVI. We have replaced the OLD COLONIALS with a new set who think in just the same way. Our new PLANTER MASTERS are here. Minimum wage levels are suppressed, no water and the Elite MASTERS lining up for full control when they can get from under the “yoke of the UK”, so that we will be subjugated to our NEW MASTERS with no friendly oversight from the UK once that happens to save the rest of us.