News
TCI Government Updates on Illegal Landing
#TurksandCaicos, November 5, 2021 – On Monday, 2nd of November 2021, at around 8:00 am, the Immigration Department received a report from 911 about an illegal vessel landing on Long Cay next to South Caicos. Our Team was informed that the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force’s Marine Branch and the Fisheries Department were en-route to Long Cay.
The authorities apprehended a total of twenty-four (24) illegal migrants consisting of thirteen (13) females, ten (10) males and one (1) minor. All the individuals were subsequently transported from South Caicos to the Detention Center on Providenciales for processing and further intelligence-based questioning.
On Tuesday the 3rd of November 2021, another vessel was spotted near Middle Caicos by the Fisheries Department during their patrol and was subsequently caught. Ten (10) persons were onboard the vessel, consisting of eight (8) male and (2) females. They were transported to the Detention Center on Providenciales for processing and further intelligence-based questioning.
The repatriation of these illegal migrants began yesterday, 3rd November 2021 and will continue today,
The Ministry would like to thank our partners of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the Fisheries Department for their joint effort over the last couple of days.
Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Hon. Arlington Musgrove, in commenting on this ongoing influx of illegal vessels stated “We have information that Residents in these Islands continue to aid these persons who attempt to, and successfully enter the Turks and Caicos Islands. We are making serious changes to our Human Resources, Infrastructure and Legislation to combat this. So, this is a warning to discontinue these illegal acts, because you will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The public is reminded that a person who is found to be in contravention of the Immigration Ordinance and commits an offence of harbouring is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $20,000.00 or to imprisonment for a term of four years, or to both.
The public is being urged to provide the Police or Immigration Officials with tips, or any information related to this or any other illegal landing of persons, and of persons residing and or working illegally.
We encourage the public to submit information or tips anonymously in English, French or Spanish either to www.crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Crime Stoppers tips are received in the USA on 1-800-84477.