TCI News
TCI: Haitian Gov’t called on to ‘do your job’, group says want to be seen as ‘humans’ and proud Haitians
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos – Friday May 18, 2018 – Haitian Flag day is a huge celebration for the people of Haiti, wherever they are in the world, but in the Turks and Caicos this year, things are markedly different due to stricter immigration laws and enforcement. Border Control protocols in the TCI are amped-up because Haitians continue to illegally breach the borders between the two countries.
Haitians resident legally in Turks and Caicos assembled at the Haitian Consulate on Flag Day in a peaceful but potent protest to send a resounding message; that the government of Haiti needs to step-up efforts to control the outflow.
Udley Malcolm, Haitian resident and demonstrator said, “We all know this is Haitian Flag Day and usually in TCI we have a big celebration. As a Haitian origin, I am very proud. I love my brothers and sisters. Haiti is where I get my education, I have spent a lot of time in Haiti. We have nothing against our brothers and sisters but they are disturbing those who are here legally.”
The dozen Haitians taking part in the demonstration just yards away from the official Haitian office in Provo, have lived in these islands for years and say it is insensitive and senseless, in their minds, to celebrate while so many in Haiti are still suffering, even dying in their desperate attempts to break free of the poverty.
“Why would we celebrate this day if you are not happy with what is going on, how your brothers and sisters have been dying at the sea. How you gonna celebrate? We place the President and the Haitian parliament to do the job, to control the border, to help us…” Udley Malcolm, continued with, “… do the job so that we can be proud wherever we go, so that we can be proud as Haitians. But if they are not doing it, we are not going to celebrate. This is a call, do you job, do what you’re supposed to do so that when we come to Turks and Caicos, they can look at us as humans.”
Turks and Caicos Islanders are unapologetically frustrated at the cost to the country to capture, charge, detain and return home the Haitian people who mainly arrive by boat. The cost is quickly mounting to $5m in five years for the Turks and Caicos for repatriation of illegals, most of whom are Haitians. In the last week, there have been four illegal boats in five days. It is reported that Haitians sell everything to make the voyage and pay as much as $3,000USD per person and sometimes even bring on the potentially treacherous voyage infants and young children to escape the abject poverty which is depressing parts of Haiti.
Still, there was a warning for Haitians considering the trip.
“It is not looking good for yourself because when you are coming here, you are coming on the sloop most times we have a lot of incidents on the sea. A lot of people – brother and sisters – are out there dying. Some of them are selling their goods and whatever they have, they are seeking a better life, I understand that… When you come into Turks and Caicos illegally, there is a big chance you are going to get arrested and you are going to lose your money. The Turks and Caicos Islands community is not going to look at you as a person because you are disturbing the peace. Because it is their money that they are supposed to be investing in roads and education, they are investing in repatriation and they are not happy about it and that is the bottom line.”
In the last 12 months, at least four western hemispheric nations have clamped down hard on illegal migrants: The Bahamas, Canada, the Turks and Caicos and the United States.
Protest organizer, John Phillip-Fontaine was passionately vocal about the reason for the protest.
“We don’t want to celebrate, we just want to send a message to the Haitian Government to tell them take up their responsibility. We are tired of the illegal sloop. You need to control your borders so that we can have some respect in Turks and Caicos.”
Phillip-Fontaine spoke to the acrimony the illegal landings are causing between Haitians and Turks and Caicos Islanders, “We feel bad. We really feel bad. But for us to do something about it, we have to get the Haitian government to control the borders. They have people who have been here for years but they are suffering because of what is going on… so we are sending a message strong to the Haitian Government through the Haitian Consulate because we believe they are here to represent the Haitian government.”
The protestors explained that the Consulate is aware of the feelings of legal Haitians resident in the Turks and Caicos, but John Phillip-Fontaine said that it appears the sloop surge is getting worse. About a dozen boats from Haiti to TCI between March and May.
The Haitian Consulate office was today closed due to the Haitian public holiday of Flag Day; but the men say they are hoping their message goes out over media and gets back to the home country leaders to stem the flow of illegal migrants.
The demonstrators also want to see that living conditions are finally improved for the millions of Haitians subject to the unbearable conditions that make them sell all and risk all in the hope of a better life in someone else’s country.
“Our flag is losing its value, and to keep the value of the flag we have to sit down today, especially a day like today – May 18… We are not happy and we are telling the Turks and Caicos government to bear with us, give us some time… we will slow this thing down. We know human trafficking is a big business all over the world but we don’t need this to spoil our children’s future.”
The group said they were referring to both the children of the Turks and Caicos and their own.
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
