TCI News
TCI: Address to the Nation by Deputy Premier on Illegal Migration
#TurksandCaicos, May 30, 2018 – Providenciales – Apprehension of Illegal Migrants and Urgent Ongoing Efforts.
Good evening my fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, as the Ministry with responsibility for Border Control and Employment, I wish to acknowledge the frustration of our citizens in regards to the continued landings of illegal sloops and speed boats on our shores. We have seen videos and have heard voice recordings of private citizens who have apprehended illegal immigrants.
However, I must caution you that you should not put yourself in any compromising or dangerous situation that may result in you being harmed in any way. Law Enforcement Officers are trained in this work, and they are the ones who should be on the front lines.
Your Government recognizes that attacking this challenge of illegal migration must be a multifaceted approach and not only demands the action of the government, but those of our citizens as well. We continue to outline ways that you can help: do not harbour or employ undocumented individuals, report any information you have to 911, the Task Force or the Police depending on the nature of the offense.
Over the last two weeks, we had a Team in the Turks and Caicos, from the United Kingdom Border Enforcement Agency. This visit and further work was a spin off from the initiatives ignited by the Premier during the month of March when recognising our limited resources in the face of the unprecedented upsurge in sloop arrivals. She made a request to the UK for assistance. The immediate response was the helicopter and the RF Mount Bay which gave aerial and sea coverage for a period of time.
The Premier has outlined our strategy to the UK Minister and had requested the UK send a highly skilled Team of 5 for the past two weeks to assess the needs and to ascertain what else can be done between both Governments. The Team from the UK not only assisted our Officers in the finalization of their own strategy, but also identified available resources for us, such as training, equipment and other valuable connections. The Team left on Thursday past and the Premier received a report of their findings and recommendations which she welcomed.
Investigations continue into those who mastermind this reckless and irresponsible trade and who make a living out of the decimation of our country. There are also those who know the individuals behind this activity and you are encouraged to give information (anonymously if need be) so that these perpetrators may be caught and brought to justice.
The Ministry of Border Control and Employment would also like to caution persons on the hiring of illegal immigrants. This is a crime and our Enforcement Unit will seek to prosecute anyone found engaging in this act. In addition, the Ministry reiterates its caution issued to those in Turks and Caicos Islands that might be inclined to harbor illegal migrants. The penalties for harboring illegal migrants were increased, and such person now face a fine of $20,000 on summary conviction or to a term of imprisonment of four years, or both. In addition, persons convicted of such offence, face the possibility of having their status in the Islands revoked, making them liable to deportation.
We hear and continue to weigh the many suggestions being put forward by persons within the community and on social media. Over the next few days and weeks we intend to:
1. Meet with the Former Leaders of this country, all members of the House of Assembly, and representatives of the Clergy. In addition we are grateful for the many residents who have scheduled appointments with myself and the Premier to offer ideas, which were well received.
2. Impress upon the UK the urgency of granting approval to accept the generous offer made by the Bahamas to assist with patrolling our waters, even though the Bahamas are also experiencing the unprecedented increase in sloop arrivals. We believe it is critical to accept
their offer.
3. Cease the extension of visas and temporary work permits with immediate effect.
4. Review trade with Haiti.
5. Write officially to Haiti’s President to advise of new steps taken.
6. Strengthen and continue our enforcement activities under Operation Guardian.
The issue of illegal immigration requires partnership with you, the people, and our regional and international partners. We see it as a matter of national security and as such our immediate and urgent attention and work will continue in this area.
May God continue to bless the Turks and Caicos Islands.
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
PROVIDENCIALES — New commercial Crown Land applications are facing a six-month pause as the Turks and Caicos Islands Government takes inventory of its holdings.
During Cabinet meetings held July 15 and 16, an immediate six-month moratorium was approved on the acceptance, processing
and approval of new applications for commercial Crown Land grants, leases and allocations.
The pause will remain in place pending completion of the Crown Land Inventory Review. Cabinet’s summary did not state what prompted the review or indicate whether availability of commercial Crown Land is a concern.
The two-day meeting also advanced major consumer legislation. Cabinet approved the National Fair Competition Policy 2026 and drafting instructions for a Fair Competition Ordinance, moving TCI toward stronger consumer protection and fair competition rules.
In Grand Turk, Cabinet approved rezoning land in the North West Suburbs from low-density to medium-density residential use to facilitate a new apartment development.
Cabinet also advanced fisheries reforms, water legislation allowing private and public-private investment, minerals legislation and appointments across tourism, health and finance.
Progress toward establishing a TCI Credit Union was also noted.
PROVIDENCIALES — Major development projects outside Providenciales received Cabinet attention on July 8, with Government approving agreements connected to the redevelopment of Dellis Cay and a resort development in North Caicos.
Cabinet approved a Development Agreement between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Desarrollos Hotelco DC Ltd. and
Desarrollos Hotelco Astoria Ltd. for the redevelopment of Dellis Cay.
The long-discussed private island development sits between Providenciales and North Caicos and its return to Cabinet signals another step toward redevelopment.
Cabinet also approved amendments to an agreement involving SPR LND Ltd. (Royal Reef) and TCIG Development Agreement for a resort/hotel development in North Caicos.
Other decisions included approval of the First Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2026 for onward transmission and the appointment of Cindy Ewing as Chair of the Invest TCI Board, effective August 1 for three years.
Cabinet also noted consultation outcomes concerning changes to business licensing, approved professional membership expenses for qualifying Telecommunications Commission staff and approved advice relating to the Interim Clinical and Estates Services PPP.
The July 8 meeting was chaired by Acting Governor Anya Williams.
Photo Credit: Royal Reef (Keith)
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