Big Take Aways from Minister of Immigration & Border Services Media Conference

#TurksandCaicos, November 18, 2021 – Minister Arlington Musgrove led a fully represented Ministry of Immigration and Border Services in today’s media conference from the Office of the Premier, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.  It was aired live on Facebook.

Among the highlights:

Two radar sites are being cleared and radars will be commissioned in Northwest Point and Long Ba, Providenciales.  Both are on schedule for March 2022 commissioning.

Marriage of Immigration and Customs border forces on the horizon; the unit will be technology driven

Touted construction of a canopy at the Providenciales International Airport, PLS explained.  Construction to start soon, is expected to be used as shade and holding area for arriving passengers to the PLS.  Airports Authority says the construction will take only five weeks to complete once construction is started.

From the Director of Immigration, a report that 1,187 illegals have been process for first seven months of 2021. Repatriation of illegal migrants stands at $1.5 million. There were 905 migrants taken into custody from illegal boat landings, 282 from apprehensions and operations. Currently there are 12 people being held at the detention center.

More highlights….

Minister announced a series of Memorandum of Understandings to be struck with the in-country Haitian Consulate; with investors for North and Middle Caicos developments and with local consultants through the Ports Authority.

Airport refurbishment in Grand Turk to begin soon and airport in Providenciales to  get expansion fit for 60 years.  Scope of work on new PLS to be managed by a Consultant.

The moratorium on Haitian visitor visas to TCI is extended to Jan 31 2022

Eight new Border Force officers hired; high commendation from the Minister for new TCI Regiment and its impact on border security.

Announcement that the ship-rider agreement with The Bahamas and US Coast Guard, to be signed on December 2, 2021.

Press conference also featured Tourism Minister, Josephine Connolly who addressed issue of Beach Vendors regulations – denying widely circulated social media claims were unfounded – it was explained following her prepared statement that the new regulations to govern beach vendors will be publically debated in Parliament from Monday November 22.