News
Deputy Premier and Minister of Immigration, Hon. Sean R. Astwood, sensitizes migrant communities on his Government’s aims to Regularize Immigration in the Turks and Caicos Islands
#TurksandCaicos, August 25, 2017 – Providenciales – The Deputy Premier and Minister of Border Control and Employment, Hon. Sean R. Astwood last week spent time engaging with leaders of the larger migrant communities as a lead up to his Ministry’s crack down on the illegal population residing in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
On Tuesday August 8th, Hon. Astwood met with Consul representatives of the Philippines, Jamaica and Haiti prior to his meeting of Thursday August 10th when he brought together pastors of the Haitian Community, to discuss the current Immigration and Border Control initiatives in the TCI that were recently announced on July 26th in the House of Assembly when it last convened.
Since the Deputy Premier’s announcement of tighter controls and improved enforcement of the Immigration law, there has been much speculation and mischief-making and the purpose those meetings were to provide factual information that the representatives could disseminate to persons in their respective communities.
During the meetings which were hosted at the Office of the Premier in Providenciales, Hon. Astwood, who was also Acting Premier and Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade at the time, briefed the attendees on the aims of his ministry to regularize immigration in the Turks and Caicos Islands and further assured them that the intention of this ongoing initiative is to ensure that everyone in the country is here legally and that all laws of the country are being upheld.
The Deputy Premier noted that it is important for us as a Government and as a country to do all within our power, guided by our legal frameworks, to ensure the safety and security of all persons that live, work and visit here, and further provided information to the those present on what persons can expect after the deadline of August 14th, 2017.
Hon. Astwood informed of his approach to Immigration from a border control standpoint, with the intent to ensure that all persons living in the country have valid statuses to do so. Towards this end, the Immigration Task Force, in conjunction with the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force would perform stop and search operations, and persons found to not be in possession of a valid TCI status will be detained and processed. While some deportation is anticipated, the Department will be keen to look at each case on an individual basis to ensure that persons falling outside of the intended target objective are not disadvantaged by the operations, and that all others are either repatriated or charged and deported in which case they too will be added to the Immigration Stop List.
The Deputy Premier impressed upon his audience the need for persons to utilize the time given to either regularize themselves, or to leave the country voluntarily, as this would permit re-entry at a later date, through legal means once approved to do so.
When asked for his views on the success of the meetings, Hon. Astwood stated:
“I am confident that the meetings provided a platform to not only address the migrant communities concerns regarding my Ministry’s ongoing initiatives but it also gave opportunity to share this Government’s vision and expectations of the migrant population that remain amongst us with the hope that the Consuls and Pastors, as leaders within their own right, will provide clarity to persons in their communities and further encourage them to abide here following all of the laws of our country.”
Hon. Astwood also, during the meetings, reiterated the need for all persons to work together to protect the borders and people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. He stated:
“Illegal migration threatens the lives and livelihood of our people. My Ministry and this Government will continue to work diligently to enforce the laws of this land for the protection of our people and the preservation of our Country.”
“Make no mistake, we welcome persons from all nationalities to legally enter and reside in TCI and while your main concern is your people, please know that these measures are not just towards some, but they apply to all persons and nationalities that choose to visit, work or live amongst us.”
This Immigration initiative is just the beginning of a long term goal to restore balance and order in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Many of our laws are not being adhered to and we intend to change that.”
The meetings also revealed that new policies and frameworks are on the horizon and will be introduced to the public within coming months as it relates to work permits, border enforcement and improvements in processing and other operational policies and procedures.
The deadline to regularize expired on August 15th, which was Tuesday of this week and joint law enforcement operations commenced as planned. As such, activities are deemed sensitive, reports on the outcomes will be given on a need-to-know basis, as will be determined by the participatory agencies in the exercises, and only in the interest of maintaining national security.
Press Release: TCIG
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
