Who opposed ‘residency at birth’ for children of non-Belongers?
A journalist recently pressed Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley to state whether members of the Opposition turned down a proposal to assign residency to children born in the BVI to non-Belongers.
The matter of residency at birth was brought to the fore recently when legislators were debating the Immigration and Passport Amendment Act (2024) which was recently passed in the House of Assembly (HOA).
During the debate, some legislators bemoaned the plight of children born in the territory to non-Belonger parents (many of whom are contributing expatriates) who often go through difficult processes to maintain status in the BVI.
As such, one proposal in the bill was for children born to non-Belonger parents to be assigned residency at birth. But this proposal was reportedly struck down in the closed-door Committee stage of the HOA proceedings and never made its way to the final bill.
Instead, elected leaders agreed that children born in the territory to non-Belonger parents would continue to have the opportunity to become residents after living in the BVI for 10 years. It was also agreed that immigration controls (constant renewal of status) would be removed for these minors during those 10 years.
At the press conference last Friday, May 31, the journalist asked Premier Wheatley what legislators rejected the first option to assign residency at birth.
“Would it be correct to say that while your government supported it, it was turned down by members of the Opposition?” the journalist asked Premier Wheatley.
Premier Wheatley then gave a vague answer: “There was a proposal that came up during the committee stage to offer residence at birth and there were arguments for and against that. In the end, the consensus was to exempt persons born to non-Belonger parents from immigration controls. I think that will solve the problems but those individuals will have to register and get naturalised at the age of 10.”
Unsatisfied with the Premier’s response, the journalist pushed further: “You didn’t answer the question, sir. I’m asking why it came down to the removal of immigration controls, was it because of the Opposition’s opposition?”
In response, Premier Wheatley gave an answer that protected all legislators: “I would say you had members of both the government and the Opposition that argued for and against.
The issue of residency and Belonger status for expatriates has always been a major one in the community, as some who identify as BVIslanders think expatriates stand the chance of outnumbering them in the BVI — a territory they inherited from their ancestors.
However, some feel as though the traditional fear of expatriates must change if the BVI intends to continue relying on expatriates who currently make up the majority of the labour force.
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As the journalist is not named, one is left to assume that Ms. Rosan was the one that raised and pressed the question.
Or could it be that other members of the media are beginning to have the courage to do their job.
It was probably Sam. Cindy would not say “sir”
I have a British Birth Certificate and a British Passport for The Virgin Islands and yet I am not a belonger in the British Virgin Islands or in the UK.
This makes absolutely no sense
And? You have a passport to travel anywhere you want. I am a belonger of 6 generations of BVIslander and I don’t have a BVI passport! So what!??
@Maria…stop talking p**s.
If you check your dam passport you will see a Belonger stamp in it. Don’t forget to take your medicatión.
Please there is no difference between the UK immigration policy and the changes they are going to make based on election outcomes, The Constitution of the Virgin Islands, The supreme law of the Land does not, does not protect or even recognize those children born here to both non Belonger parents. Read Section 2.(2) for your selves.
But under 2.(2) (c), if I adopt a child from anywhere in the world. That child automatically becomes a Belonger. Need attention and a fix sooner or later.
Correct me if I’m wrong. (you are not wrong) I can deal with that
The indigenous members of the HoA was against it while the two island men in the house was for it
Now go do your homework
THERE ARE NO INDIGENOUS PERSONS IN THE BVI. LOOK UP THE WORD AND YOU WOULD SEE IT MEANS INDIVIDUALS THAT OCCUPY A LAND OR COUNTRY BEFORE THE COLONIST EUROPEANS CAME OVER. PEOPLE LIKE THE CARIBS, ARAWAKS OR THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLE OF AUSRALIA ARE INDIGENOUS.
THE TERM HAVE BEEN WRONGLY USED A BETTER WORD WOULD BE A NATIVE VIRGIN ISLANDER. IN THAT CASE THE WHOLE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE SHOULD CONSIDER THEMSELVES INDIGENOUS WE ALL HAD THE SAME PLIGHT AT THE SAME TIME.
Thank You, you may take a hearty bow!!! perfectly explained. That is why in some of the Caribbean islands there is a reserve for the indigenous people. The blacks in all the Caribbean had the same plight as of us here. The others are not indigenous, how we here are?
Although you are trying to make an obvious point I have been watching court cases and lawyer shows so allow me to show you what I have learned about counter arguments.
The British Virgin Islands was not inhabited by those indigenous natives that you’re alluding to b/c those islands were not british or under british rule at the time. They were pre-colonial times. But since the colonial times and British Ownership, the slaves became the indigenous peoples of the land since the other natives were eliminated. This will also happen once the descendants of those british slaves are eliminated here and the descendants of slaves from other islands become indigenous here.
How I sounding?
You sounding stupidy.
Like all of we BVI people who use that word are raising a mumu red flag whenever we use it, especially outside of this territory.
EVERYWHERE in the world the word indigenous is used to refer to the pre colonial inhabitants of any land.
When we go outside of here and start claiming we are indigenous, people look at us like we are truly too stupid to know what the word even means.
Plus it is disrespectful of the true indigenous of the region like the descendants of Caribs and Taino’s who lives all across the region. You are wiping them out of history by claiming to be the same as them.
BVI and other African people are here after the white man came, when the white man stole Africans and abusively transplanted them in the region.
That makes African people in the Caribbean descendants of slaves, not the same as Taino and Carib.
Say what you want but you are making us all look stupid by mis using that word wrong.
Black people sold their own to the white Europeans! But that narrative doesn’t quite work with the slave/racist BS you want to push!!!
It is time for ALL people residing in the Virgin Islands to come together and STOP criticizing and fighting against each other. Instead, let us start educating each other on similarities and customs in other jurisdictions. I am born, bred Virgin Islander to Virgin Islander Parents and Grandparents. I remember hearing some years ago that it was a UK Law that Children born to Non-Virgin Islanders had to get permission to reside in the Virgin Islands. To me that seemed kinda Foreign. Non the less, It is what It is. People from other Countries need to tell the public what are the Laws in their Country in a like situation. Eg. If I were to born a Child in lets say Canada or another OT Territory, would my Child get automatic Rights whether Passport or Citizenship?
Just asking. No Pin Intended. I think that is what is really causing some of the confusion. The expectation of having Rights in another Man’s Country or Territory.
Majority of them do not know the laws in the country of birth, you expect them to know ours. If you do some research, you will be shocked to find out the laws concerning such issues in their country. Some have a very smart way of dealing with citizenship for non-citizens. By the way the United Nations has over 200 countries registered. Of that only 33 countries offer out right birth rights. Last time I checked only 3 Caribbean countries are on that list. Hint, none of the large islands are on that list.
Expatriates contributing here is something that is debatable, i am not commenting to attack anyone or make anyone feel unworthy. I just think that we talk about them contributing but there was never a real implementation strategy proposed on how to ensure said contribution is actually a reality. Who is keeping track of the numbers? Where are the statistical data on this issue? I would hope that people feel the same way about their home country if they can see what I see.
For one, expatriates are compensated through their wages which they sign and agree on for the work they do to provide a service and build the country. The responsibility is on them to do research on cost of living, way of life, pros and cons etc. before relocating.Too many of them hear about the US dollar and just jump on a plane to prove a point back home where they had been struggling. Those are the ones who come here and get stuck in the cycle, then complain down the road. I don’t think it is fair to say you come here and want a piece of the pie because you have contributed to the economy by living here when your wages are your compensation for being here in the first place. It’s like saying because I hired you to come and do work around my house, after 5 years of working for me you are now entitled to a section of my house or piece of the land it is on. Can you imagine the level of anger and division that creates amongst families in the house hold? Yet alone the sense of entitlement that will grow inside of the visitors? Let’s get real here, the expatriates are being used by the leaders and employers through greed just like every other group.
Secondly, whatever money that remains from being sent back to their homeland is mostly spent on fellow former expats who have started businesses that import products from said homeland. Even if they shop with a locally owned store/service/vendor, those products are imported as well, also in large from the same homelands of the expats.
Thirdly, we have no real identity or definition of what it means to be a BVIslander. Yet we are handing out citizenship that slowly diminishes the so called democratic power that they like to say the indigenous people of the bvi have. When the expatriates come here, most of them are fully grown adults who have been solidified in their heritage, habits be it good or bad and culture. When they have their children here, most of which are raised in broken homes, they are not raising them according to the now long lost BVI culture.
I am not saying we should not share the land because all belongs to god but for a place that has no identity, no culture and no generational remedial plan we should be very careful on who we invite to stay. When you really look at it, the expatriates are mostly running from problems they had back in their home countries and for the most part collectively bring them here to the bvi. So now you have BVI citizens leaving to become expats themselves because the cost of living goes up, quality of living goes down and no one is unified on the national front to have a sense of pride and fix the issue.
The answer to all this will not be an immediate one, it can be realized in a few generations because it involves the complete overhaul of our education system while taking temporary measures to slowly decompress the pressure put on the citizens and expatriates who we are responsible for displacing. It is not the expatriate’s fault for wanting to take advantage of a system that offers them what seems to be a better way of life. It is our fault as bvislanders for whatever happens in this country good and bad, it is our house and our mess to clean up, no one else’s responsibility.
I have said this many times before to friends I have from the other Caribbean countries. Before relocation here or anywhere, one should do some research on the place. This should include the laws, culture and language. If possible, pay a visit and see if this is where you want to reside. Don’t just show up and then be complaining when things don’t go as plan you vex with the locals and calling us all kind of names. Also stop wishing bad on the place that currently providing you with a living.
SHOULD DISCOURAGE THE GETTING OF ANCHOR BABIES
Who is looking out for the endangered indigenous Virgin Islanders and ensuring that their rights are protected?
Do they have rights at all? Hmmm.
How about a compromise and give those born here with less than 10 years a short track to citizenship if they come back as adults.
Let me get this right. It is okay for you to come to the USA and get your kids there and they become US citizens but when and outsider have there kids born in the BVI they can’t become a Belonger?
no other island hate island people more than the bvi
Please think little deeper than that, it is not that simple. America has a proper system in place to handle the amount of expatriates that apply and is much bigger. Not only does BVI lack the said strategy, the BVI is but a small island. What works for the goose doesn’t always work for the gander
I am so sick of people coming to this country and thinking it is THEIR right for a plethora of things. Any citizen of a country has the God given right to say who they want and do not want in their country. We are already outnumbered by foreigners.
BVI Islanders are very welcoming and hospitable people and VERY peaceful, but you really can not expect us to be that way when SOME of you come here and speak smack about our country. If you think the people and the country are backwards and it has all the problems SOME of you make NO bones about telling us about, WHY ARE YOU HERE!?!?
And PLEASE!!!!!!!!! do your homework. The BVI is NOT the only country in the world to practice JUS SANGUINIS (right of blood). That means, for those of you who think we bVI Islanders are backwards, citizenship is passed down from one’s parents or ancestors.
There are presently 195 recognised countries in the world and as of right now in 2024 there are ONLY 33 countries and 2 territories that practice JUS SOLI – citizenship by birth, including the USA, Canada and right here in our backyard, Antigua. So PLEASE, get off the backs of the BVIslanders. If it is such an issue, why do you stay? You are free to leave. Oh WAIT A MUNITE!!!! Please don’t tell me…. it is financial prostitution.
Indeed, there are indigenous people living here. There are. theoffspring of the original people found around the globe.
Colonialist such as the UK has used the term indigenous as a tool of division, in particular, since their invasions of other lands began.
They created the laws and wrote the history; to serve their own means, made them out to be divine interventions, standard rules of the land and laws and meanings of laws ordained by God.
Not so!
And in doing so, illuminated many in words and deeds including Black people that were inhabiting these islands long before they came killing and taking..
Whether Virgin Islander, native or local seems appropriate, the African Black person currently here today has roots stretching back to times when the colonialist was still living in caves. If the evidence to this would be released from Europeans archives it would be proven to be so.
It is time that intellectual historic dishonesty and lies end, and time to begin teaching the children now and those to come the truths. No more Eurocentrisms. Why is it that only the alsehoods of European conquerers are still being validaed?
Whenever it comes down to Black people, their rights and right to exist, there are always those seeking to diminish their worth, rights, value and belongingness.
As a precursor of Homo sapiens, people of African ancestry were here and there from the beginning of Homo sapiens’ existence.
Black people are the founders of all ancient human civilizations. The history of humanity is predominantly history of black people.
Hence, the reason there are no recorded evidence of Black people being here in as precursors to the Carib and Arawak , even though they were, is because they were systematically written out of that history with the advent of colonialism.
However, it is believed that such evidences are still in existence deep in the corridors of the UK, EU and Vatican vaults.
Perfect conspiracy theory to make your weak, skin-deep point:
“I know the colonialists are holding this info in an archive but don’t want to release it because it keeps us down”
You seen it? How do you know?
Why do they put so much effort in to hold YOU down?
What a load of Jack Dung.
Those colonialists have a lot more evil to be doing than spend time hiding documents away to dent your wishful ego.
It might actually be true that Arfircan, Middle East and Chinese people sailed these seas thousands of years ago but don’t be pretending that ancestors of your African culture were roaming here before Taino and Karib people and therefore have MORE RIGHTS THAN ANYONE.
You can SAY it, but that’s just you wishing it.
If Africans are the original humans, which most of us believe they were, then – news flash – they are ancestors to ALL of us, not just you and your niche historical conspiracy echo chamber.
That is an absolute lie,and it is posted to continue to divide the people of the Virgin Islands against the people of the Easter Caribbean. It is a blantant, racially diving. lie designed distrac and destroy.
May our people see between the lies and reject them.
The Constitution of the Virgin Islands, The supreme law of the Land does not, does not protect or even recognize those children born here to both non Belonger parents. Read Section 2.(2) for your selves.
BUT under 2.(2) (c),if I adopt a child from any where in the world. That child automatically becomes a Belonger. Need attention and a fix sooner or later.
Correct me if I’m wrong.I can deal with that.
People above the age of 55+ were hospitable and welcoming as the economy was not booming and they welcome the outside help
After the economic growth people begun to change .the THIRD pillar was booming …. Well .,you can come here and work , no problem but as soon as you begin to achieve material things and it appears the expatriate or belongers are living in their eyes a better quality of life then there is where the problem begins .
It is badmindidness, greed and anger that is spuring the bvi and this will never get better
I have never experienced more hate at functions as in this little island . What i have given some of them will die and never give to this country .
Children born here give them their birth rights . Someone else will take away your country and you will be amazed . Watch and see
You know why the Egyptians enslaved the Israelites or Jews?
The Egyptians enslaved the Israelites because they fear that the Israelites population was increasing rapidly and the Egyptians were becoming a Minority while the Israelites were becoming the Majority. Therefore the Egyptians enslave them to prevent them from taken over their Lands.
This is the same way the BVI Citizens feel about becoming a Minority in their own Country.
We are not blaming the people from the Caribbean Islands alone as the Majority but those from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, America (USA) and Central America, Africa and elsewhere. Look at the Philippines and those from China and Santo Domingo They are coming here by the hundreds and are having children here as well
Some White people from Europe and America are also coming here and having children here to.
Moreover, a lot of BVI Citizens are dying or migrated to the USA. Furthermore, BVI Citizens are having their children in the USA and USVI
Then we have Marriages between the BVI Citizens and the Expatriates (whether Black or white or Hispanic) Everything now is a Big Mix-Up.
But when you look at the Big Picture from past generation to present generation, the BVI Citizens is now the Minority and people from other countries are the Majority. Beside this, we are loosing our lands, property, inheritance and culture.
Then we have the Millionaires and Billionaires coming here and buying out the Sister Islands.
Presently, to find a real BVI Citizen you have to go to the Methodist or Anglican Church because every other person you talk to is not from here.
The UK like other European Countries don’t have unconditional jus soli, ie, birthright citizenship. The UK abandoned jus soli with 1981 British Nationality Act.(BNA). Instead, a child’s citizenship was a function of the parent’s circumstances at its birth, The VI is an OT of the UK, so the UK has an interest in births and citizenship.
but when bvislander ppl go to the US they get passport one time and they happy, but when outsiders come they make sure they dont get nothing, thats crazy, but karma will catch up to them
It’s quite a stretch to formulate ideas and strategic frameworks to justify the thought patterns of some humans. Let’s leave the colonizers,expatriates,foreigners mentally alone. The correlation is real for those who experience it, but let’s start living in love and forget hate.
Can we all do so for the next couple of days, and if it works repeat it over and over again. Many would be surprised of the change person they become. Let’s try something new.
I blows my mine when these same people who rally against expatriates are the same people who have children and are married to the same expatriates they are talking so horrible and disrespectful about. How do you sleep at nights, shame on you.