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TCI:  Haitian Gov’t called on to ‘do your job’, group says want to be seen as ‘humans’ and proud Haitians

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#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.

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Turks and Caicos Islands Community College Vacancy Announcements

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The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC), the premier institution for higher education and training in the Turks and Caicos Islands, invites suitably qualified individuals to apply for the following positions.

Join a dynamic team committed to educational excellence, innovation, and national development.

  • Student Support Officer – SSO/25

 Job Summary

The Student Support Officer is responsible for delivering comprehensive assistance to students throughout their academic journey. This role includes providing guidance on academic and personal development matters, coordinating support services, and ensuring that students have timely access to the resources, interventions, and referrals necessary for their success. The officer plays a key role in fostering a supportive, student-centered environment that promotes engagement, wellbeing, and academic achievement.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, Public Administration or a related discipline from a recognised and accredited institution.

Experience

3-5 years relevant work experience interacting with clients/students from diverse backgrounds.

Location:                   –           Providenciales

Annual Salary:        –           USD45,992.00 – USD53,336.00

Annual Allowances:  –            Telephone USD1,200.00 and Transport USD1,200.00

 

  • Information Technology Manager  -ITMgnr/25

Job Summary

The IT Manager is responsible for the effective operation of the total Management Information System of the College, maintains an effective and up-to-date system by reviewing the technological environment, giving advice and making appropriate recommendations to leadership to facilitate optimum maintenance of the equipment and further development of the system.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred

Experience

Minimum of 5 years of experience in progressively responsible IT leadership roles, preferably within the higher education or tertiary institution sector.

Location:                   –           Grand Turk

Annual Salary:         –          USD75,363.00 – USD87,395.00

Annual Allowance:      –        Telephone Allowance USD1,200.00

 

  • Lecturer IIB 

Job Summary

This role involves preparing and delivering engaging face-to-face and online lectures, developing course materials in alignment with curriculum guidelines, assessing student performance, and providing academic support. The Lecturer contributes to a dynamic learning environment by fostering critical thinking, enhancing student understanding, and supporting their academic and professional development..

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in law, politics or equivalent subject area from an accredited and recognised institution Teacher’s certification

Experience

3-5 years post qualification experience

Location:                   –           Grand Turk

Annual Salary:        –           USD58,873.00 – USD63,400.00

 

  • Admissions and Records Officer – ADMRO/25.3

Job Summary

The Records and Admissions Officer is responsible for overseeing the student admissions process and maintaining accurate academic records. This role enhances the overall efficiency of the Registrar’s Office by organizing, retrieving, and managing both physical and digital student records.

Minimum qualification

  • Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business Administration, Information Technology, Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited and recognised institution

EXPERIENCE

  1. Minimum of 3 years experience in academic records or admissions administration.
  2. Familiarity with student information systems.

Location:                  –           Grand Turk

Annual Salary:        –           USD45,992.00 – USD53,336.00

______________________________________________________________________________

THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Resumes with current contact information must be accompanied by:

  • a Cover Letter
  • two reference letters (one preferably from the most recent employer)
  • copies of educational certificates, and
  • a copy of the applicant’s passport photo page and Turks and Caicos Islands Status Card (where applicable).

Shortlisted applicants will be required to provide a police record.

Overseas recruits are eligible for a Housing Allowance of USD7,800.00 per annum, Grand Turk and USD10,200.00 per annum, Providenciales. A settling-in loan and 10% gratuity upon successful completion of the contract of engagement.

Applications should be addressed to:

THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER

TCI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

41 PRINCESS DRIVE, GRACE BAY

PROVIDENCIALES

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

 

WE MAY ALSO APPLY BY SCANNING THE QR CODE BELOW:

Hand delivered applications must be marked with the Job Title including the reference number.

Applications submitted without supporting documents will not be processed.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only persons shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:         19 December 2025

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TCI Hosts Strategic Defence Summit as Overseas Territories Regiments Strengthen Security Partnerships

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Turks and Caicos, December 4, 2025 – The Turks and Caicos Islands this week became the centre of regional security cooperation as senior defence leaders from across the British Overseas Territories gathered in Providenciales for the 4th Annual Overseas Territories Commanding Officers Conference — a three-day summit focused on strengthening capability, maritime readiness, and inter-territorial partnerships.

Acting Governor Anya Williams and Premier Charles Washington Misick, OBE, on December 1, welcomed Lord Lancaster, a key figure in the establishment of the TCI Regiment and the current Honorary Colonel of the Cayman Islands Regiment, for a courtesy call and high-level briefing session. Lord Lancaster joined Permanent Secretary for National Security Tito Lightbourne, TCI Regiment Commanding Officer Colonel Ennis Grant, and Commanding Officers from Bermuda, Cayman, Montserrat, the Falkland Islands, and UK defence representatives.

The visit, along with the wider conference agenda, signals a meaningful step forward for the rapidly evolving TCI Regiment, which has grown into a crucial national asset for disaster response, coastal security, joint operations, and resilience planning. Lord Lancaster’s presence carries additional significance: he was instrumental in shaping the Regiment’s formation in 2020 and remains a vocal advocate for expanding the capabilities of small-territory defence units within the UK network.

At the conference’s opening ceremony, Acting Governor Williams emphasised the importance of “collaboration and strategic leadership across the Overseas Territories,” noting that shared challenges — from climate shocks to transnational crime — demand a unified approach. The Permanent Secretary echoed this, highlighting increased maritime coordination and training pathways as areas where the TCI is seeking deeper integration with its regional counterparts.

Throughout the week, Commanding Officers participated in strategic discussions, intelligence and security briefings, resilience planning sessions, and on-site engagements showcasing the TCI’s developing operational infrastructure. The agenda also focused on improving interoperability — ensuring that Overseas Territories regiments can operate seamlessly together during disaster deployments, search and rescue missions, and joint maritime operations.

For the TCI Regiment, hosting the conference marks a milestone: it positions the young force as an active contributor in shaping the region’s security future rather than merely a participant. Leaders left no doubt that the momentum is intentional — and that the Turks and Caicos Islands are strengthening their role within a broader, coordinated defence framework designed to safeguard shared interests.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Michael Misick Rejects Government’s 60/40 Shift as Business Licensing Debate Reignites

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Turks and Caicos, December 4, 2025 – For the first time in his long political career, former Premier Michael Misick appeared on Drexwell Seymour’s “Financially Speaking” radio programme this week — and he used the platform to forcefully reject the Government’s new 60/40 business-ownership model, arguing that Turks and Caicos Islanders are once again being positioned to lose ground in their own country.

The interview came at a pivotal moment: the Washington Misick Administration has just issued a detailed press statement confirming that the controversial 100% Islander-only ownership requirement — praised by some as overdue protectionism and criticised by others as unconstitutional and discriminatory — was never Cabinet’s intended position. A “drafting error,” the Government now says, caused the blanket 100% clause to appear in the Business Licensing (Amendment) Bill, prompting a pause in Parliament and a full review.

This week, Cabinet reaffirmed its balanced 60/40 framework, arguing that meaningful majority control for Turks and Caicos Islanders must coexist with access to external capital, expertise, and investment partnerships. The Government cited international models, financing constraints for local entrepreneurs, and the need to avoid “harsh outcomes” that could unintentionally weaken local businesses or violate constitutional safeguards. It further pledged strengthened anti-fronting mechanisms, tighter oversight, and mandatory protections for local shareholders.

But Michael Misick isn’t convinced.

During the wide-ranging RTC interview, the former Premier dismissed the 60/40 model as inadequate and accused successive governments of diluting the rights and economic standing of heritage Turks and Caicos Islanders. He argued that fronting has flourished under the existing 51% rule, and that only full, uncompromised Islander ownership in certain industries can prevent locals from being reduced to symbolic partners with no real power. Misick described the Business Licensing Board’s disappearance, the rise of unchecked approvals, and the growing dominance of expatriate capital as evidence that the country is “losing itself, bit by bit, every sunrise.”

Seymour, a CPA and economic commentator, echoed concerns about fronting and asked whether the territory’s leaders were “afraid” to implement robust protections. Misick went further, accusing modern politicians of lacking political courage and failing to defend the long-term interests of heritage Turks and Caicos Islanders.

“Every time legislation comes to empower our people, there is resistance,” Misick said.
“When it’s something that penalises our people, no one objects.”

The Government’s clarification attempts to neutralize that narrative, insisting Cabinet did not “retreat” under pressure but merely corrected an error to restore policy integrity. Still, the timing — after months of public debate, stakeholder pushback, and ongoing reference to the Grant Thornton economic impact report — has only deepened suspicion among critics who say the Administration is wavering.

What is clear is this:
The Business Licensing reform has cracked open the deepest unresolved question in the Turks and Caicos Islands — how to protect a small population from economic displacement while maintaining an investment climate that supports national development.

With Parliament scheduled to revisit the Bill this month, the clash between political philosophy and economic pragmatism is now on full display. And as Misick made clear on RTC, this debate will define not just policy, but identity.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.  

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