Passions flare over new Immigration rules, labelled a ‘deterrent’ to illegal hiring & harbouring

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, February 16, 2022 – “We have on a daily basis Turks and Caicos islanders who live in the United States being deported back home here, after spending their entire life in America. I have nothing against Haitians, Bahamians, Dominicans but I have to protect this country. And when the premier thinks I’m being too overprotective he can fire me. But until that day I will protect this country.”

That was Arlington ‘New Sheriff’ Musgrove’s  passionate address in the House of Assembly on Tuesday following pushback on his Ministry’s new Immigration ill.

The Immigration Bill has officially passed, but not without its share of controversy.  In an audacious move, one of the Governor’s Appointed Members, Harold Charles stood against the bill in the House of Assembly on Monday February 7.

Charles, who is originally from Haiti, said he was not against supporting a bill that prevented illegal migration, but could not support the bill in its present format.

That form was a doubling of penalties and fines under the Immigration Ordinance for anyone found hiring or harbouring illegal migrants from anywhere.

Hon Charles explained that he had made several efforts to meet with the Minister of Immigration, Arlington Musgrove, to discuss possibilities for amendments to the bill, but was unsuccessful.  Charles believes the bill is still laden with loopholes and changes seem to threaten only one, albeit common group of illegals: Haitians.

The candid thoughts expressed in the Turks and Caicos parliament ignited a firestorm of comments, most expressing outrage at Charles’ position and condemning the Governor for placing Mr. Charles, who is now a Turks and Caicos Islander to the appointed post.

Governor Nigel Dakin agreed that Charles “generated a conversation in the House that was a good debate to have.” and said he “respected the courage of a man or woman to speak against the consensus when their conscience tells them to.” But Dakin maintained that he firmly disagreed with Charles as the new bill was necessary as part of the border security strategy.

Premier, Washington Misick assured Harold Charles that the bill aimed for breaches of immigration laws at all levels is not meant to target any nationality.

“This bill does not deal with persons who’ve been living here for a long time, particularly those who are here legally. There is nothing in this legislation that speaks to Haitians,” defended the Premier when he ended the first leg of the session last week.

Despite those differences of opinion the bill received enthusiastic support from the Leader of Opposition, Edwin Astwood, who also recommended that expat workers or business owners who harbor these workers should also be treated as illegal migrants and deported. Their business licenses, he said, should be revoked, he said.

The amendments to the Immigration Ordinance – which included fines up to $20,0000 and prison terms up to 14 years – were accepted by Members of the House.  It was said there was no dissension when the vote was put to the floor; only “ayes” or agreement was expressed.