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.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks & Caicos continues to lead the way in sustainability by cultivating a
culture of environmental stewardship across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through the introduction of biodegradable alternatives, agricultural education and community partnerships, the resort is setting a new standard for eco-conscious hospitality. As part of its ongoing sustainability mission, the resort has replaced single-use plastics and certain chemicals with compostable, biodegradable products derived from natural sources, to reduce pollution and minimize the resort’s carbon footprint.
“At Beaches Turks & Caicos, sustainability is woven into every part of the guest experience,” said Managing Director, James McAnally. “From the products we use to the relationships we nurture, our goal is to make responsible environmental choices that benefit our guests, team members and the wider Turks and Caicos community.”
The resort also practices on-site composting, recycling fruit and vegetable waste from its kitchens to enrich soil and sustain its lush
landscaping. This closed-loop system reduces waste and promotes biodiversity across the property.
Beyond the resort, Beaches collaborates with local partners including schools, government agencies and NGOs to extend green education into the wider community. Through the Sandals Foundation, the resort supports projects such as the installation of water filtration systems, tree-planting activities and biodegradable workshops. Schools like Enid Capron Primary have expanded their farming projects and integrated agricultural science into their curriculum thanks to this partnership. Beaches also leads regular coastal cleanups and reforestation drives which inspires residents and students to play an active role in protecting their environment. “The Earth Guardian volunteers take pride in giving back to our schools and the communities we serve,” noted Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan. “These initiatives create a sense of shared responsibility that strengthens both our communities and our natural resources.”
With its commitment to biodegradable innovation, sustainable education and environmental action, Beaches Turks & Caicos continues to set the benchmark for biodiversity and sustainability in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Photo Captions
1st insert: Beaches Turks and Caicos and the Sandals Foundation celebrate with students at the Enid Capron Primary School in a Reading Road Trip experience where guests and students get to experience a cultural melting pot of activity.
2nd insert: Beaches Turks and Caicos resort Simone Woodfine from the Bar Department prepares to plant a tree at one of our schools to celebrate the mission of providing a healthier environment for the Turks and Caicos Islands
TCI News
Turks and Caicos Corporate Community Join Beaches Resort to Raise Funds for Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa Relief
Turks and Caicos Islands, December 17, 2025 – Corporate partners in and around Providenciales recently joined Beaches Turks and
Caicos Resort raising over US $54,000 to support Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa Relief effort. The fundraising dinner, aptly titled, ‘One Caribbean, One Family, One Love’ saw over eighteen companies gather on Friday, December 12 to support the recovery of families and the rebuilding of communities affected by the category 5 storm.
“When our Caribbean family calls, we will respond with love,” said Deryk Meany, General Manager of the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort. “Today it is Jamaica that is affected, but tomorrow, it could be the Turks and Caicos or another neighbouring island. We are committed to serving our brothers and sisters and are deeply grateful to everyone who have donated to the cause.”
Since the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica on October 28, the Sandals Foundation has been working around the clock with local
agencies and international partners to provide shelter essentials, food, and clean water, restore schools, and provide medical support to hospitals. Funds raised at the recent benefit dinner will help bolster the next phase of the philanthropic organisation’s support to rebuild schools and livelihoods in affected communities.
“As we continue to provide essential first-relief support, we have already begun our long-term recovery response,” says Patrice Gilpin, Public Relations Manager at Sandals Foundation. “Many schools, which are the cornerstone of stability, learning, and emotional support for our young ones, require urgent attention. This donation will go a far way in restoring a sense of normalcy in the lives of our youngest and most vulnerable.”
The One Caribbean, One Family, One Love fundraising dinner featured, amongst other things a silent auction of Sandals and Beaches
Resort stays, airline tickets, spa services, catamaran cruise, and private chef dinner. The night’s four course meal was also spearheaded by the TCI’s 2025 Taste of the Caribbean silver medalist culinary team- all of whom volunteered for the event.
Managing Director of the Northern Caribbean and Curaçao, James McAnally expressed delight at the outcome noting, “The success of this event is indicative of the power of partnerships to effect real change. We are grateful to the TCI business community, resort guests and our resort team for coming together and making this moment count.”
Photo Captions
1st insert: Sandals Foundation Public Relations Manager Patrice Gilpin (centre) accepts the cheque from Beaches Turks and Caicos resort General Manager Deryk Meany (left) and Managing Director of the Northern Caribbean and Curacao James McAnally
2nd insert: Members of the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort’s entertainment team were on hand to provide scintillating performances at the event
3rd insert: Beaches Turks and Caicos resort General Manager Deryk Meany (5th left) poses for the cameras with representatives of the Graceway Communities as he personally thanked those who were in attendance
