More pathways to Citizenship in TCI to enlarge franchise

Providenciales, 18 Sept 2015 – Despite strong objections by the public and calls for an extension on consultations, the Immigration Bill 2015 has been passed.

House of Assembly members met until 1:10am Thursday morning to discuss the divisive bill, which on Wednesday, received the green light from the PNP Government.

Once again, Blue Hills MP Hon. Goldray Ewing voted against the bill, while other members of the Opposition and the Governor’s Appointed Members did not express their vote during the late night session.

The Immigration Bill, along with the Turks and Caicos Islander Status bill also passed in the House this week, are the two proposals, which locals fear will enlarge the Turks and Caicos Islands franchise – unchecked – and provide too many pathways to become a TCI citizen.

Citizenship can now go to a person born in the Turks and Caicos or outside of the TCI with one or both of their parents being an indigenous islander. Citizenship can also go to those born outside of the Turks and Caicos if both of their parents were settled or held PRC status in the islands at the time of their birth. It also grants TCI status to a person born outside of the Turks and Caicos with one or more of their grandparents being Turks and Caicos Islanders.

It was explained that it will take roughly three months for this bill to become law.