News
Blocking Haitians because they are Haitians is Unconstitutional, think tank needed to find common ground
EDITORIAL – Wednesday March 28, 2018 – People everywhere feel passionately about who gets to live and work in their country. It is a hot topic and the Turks and Caicos Islands is no exception.
In a press conference held last week, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Washington Misick raised some interesting points, concerning points about the huge population of Haitians residing within these islands.
While everything he explained demands that the nation give more deliberate attention to how we ought to build the already cosmopolitan society that the TCI is, it is an inescapable fact that it would simply be unfair, unethical and most significantly, unconstitutional for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government to establish a law or system that automatically denied a human being access to opportunities based strictly on their nationality.
Section 16 of the 2011 Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution makes it plain that it is wrong to create a law or policy that levels a specific treatment toward any sector; especially if law or policy is designed to block privileges other residents or potential residents, enjoy.
Section 16 says:
Protection from discrimination 16.—(1) Subject to subsections (4), (5) and (8), no law shall make any provision which is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect. (2) Subject to subsections (6), (8) and (9), no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of any law or in the performance of the functions of any public office or any public authority.
The section of the Constitution goes on to define what is meant by discriminatory:
(3) In this section, “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions such as by race, national or social origin, political or other opinion, colour, religion, language, creed, association with a national minority, property, sex, sexual orientation, birth or other status whereby persons of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such description are not made subject or are accorded privileges or advantages which are not accorded to persons of another such description.
The responses and reaction to the comments made by the Minister of Border Control, Hon. Sean Astwood – who since last year announced that first time work permits applications from anyone would not be accepted; and the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Washington Misick – who believes the country ought to develop a quota system to balance who can apply for a work permit for the first time, need a proper forum for sensible consideration.
It is clear that residents have burning ideas about this controversial issue. It is clear that both sides of our government agree that some controls need to be enforced. What is less clear is whether the Turks and Caicos is prepared to formalize the variety of ideas in a way that gives equal opportunity to anyone applying for permission to work and live in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Our constitution is important and clear that we cannot pick and chose who we treat this way or that at any level, especially at the national one. Anyone should be able to apply for a job advertised, no matter their nationality. For any number of reasons, their application can be denied, but it should never be based on the colour of their skin, whether they are a woman or man, because they are Haitian or American, because they are homosexual or whether they are Anglican or atheist.
Students say we need lecturers at the Community College. So if we find one or two who come qualified and willing from Haiti, should they then be rejected because there are Haitian? If the RitzCarlton or one of the other five major developments coming on stream need unskilled workers for construction phase and if we can find 100 or 200 Haitians to make up the numbers, should we reject their applications just because they are from Haiti? If we were to find a qualified Haitian man or woman to support our agricultural development, are we saying that we should reject them purely based on the fact that they are Haitian?
No. It is not only in contravention to what I believe is the spirit of what both the Minister and the LOO are trying to say, but it is flat out unconstitutional to ignore a decent and ready candidate just because they come from Haiti.
Do that, and no telling who is next; Jamaicans, Dominicans, Africans, Canadians, Barbadians, Cubans, Europeans, Guyanese, Bahamians or Americans? It cannot and should not happen because to deny a human being because of where they are born is unconstitutional, so we must come up with an equitable way of determining the expatriate labour force.
Many countries have figured it out. Perhaps it is time to copy off of their paper.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 25 February 2026: Staff of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) participated in a one‑day Professional Staff Development Workshop on Thursday, 19th February 2026. The session was facilitated by former DDME Director (2011–2021) and current Permanent Secretary of the Governor’s Office, Dr. Virginia Clerveaux.
The in-house workshop was organised by the DDME Training Unit, to focus on the National Disaster Management Framework, strengthening staff understanding of their roles and responsibilities within disaster management. The session also aimed to enhance the effectiveness of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and reinforce inter‑agency coordination.
Drawing on her extensive experience in disaster management in the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as several deployments to CDEMA member states including Haiti, The Bahamas, and Jamaica, Dr. Clerveaux provided practical insights that reinforced key concepts and clarified operational expectations. Staff members actively participated in discussions and shared recommendations to improve sub‑committee performance and overall departmental efficiency.
To support learning retention, the workshop incorporated pre‑ and post‑assessments, enabling participants to evaluate their understanding and track improvements.
Acting Director of DDME, Mr. Kevaun Lucas stated: “Investing in the continued development of our team is essential to strengthening national resilience. This and future planned workshops will help to reinforce our commitment to building a highly skilled, well‑coordinated workforce capable of leading and supporting disaster management efforts across the Turks and Caicos Islands. I am proud of the team’s engagement and encouraged by the meaningful contributions they made throughout the session.”
This Professional Staff Development Workshop forms part of DDME’s ongoing commitment to enhancing internal capacity, strengthening operational coordination and improving overall departmental synergy as the agency continues to advance national preparedness and response capabilities.
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Caribbean News
Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion
Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.
The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.
“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital
policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.
“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”
Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.
Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.
Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”
Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.
Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.
Photo Caption:
TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key
government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.
The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.
The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and
posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.
The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.
