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“Wrong and Ill-Advised”, TCI Minister vows Repatriations will continue despite UN plea

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, May 10, 2023 – “I sympathise with the Haitian people but we are a small nation and we are being overrun as we speak, so I will continue to repatriate and to deport Haitians that are in my country illegally.”

That was the determined stance from Arlington ‘Chuck’ Musgrove, the Turks and Caicos’ Minister of Immigration in the face of yet another call from a United Nations Committee, for countries in the Americas to “suspend forced returns and adopt measures to protect Haitians on the move”

The call was made by experts at the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) on April 28th, after 36,000 were deported from June to March, mostly from the Dominican Republic. They expressed fear at increasing reports of increasing xenophobia against Haitians as well. It is at least the second such plea from the UN in the past year.

The UN Committee did not specify what countries they were referring to. While the US state of Florida is also particularly susceptible to the influx of illegal migrants from the impoverished country, the closest and undoubtedly worst affected countries are The Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos Islands and The Bahamas.

What the UN would like to see are countries assessing the irregular migrants, case by case.  Each individual would then be able to be linked – if applicable – to protection needs in accordance with international refugee and human rights law. For TCI this would mean feeding, housing, and clothing more than 1600 migrants while the Government tried to determine their cases.

At this time, without this new request for slower processing before repatriation, it is costing the Turks and Caicos $2,200 per migrant for shelter and security.

“We spent over 3 million dollars repatriating Haitians to Haiti on these illegal sloops and these voyages are killing the people themselves,” Musgrove said of the cost to the TCI.

The bill for 2022/23 has already passed $5 million. “We cannot do more, I refuse to hear something like that from the UN,” he contended.

In fact, the bill, according to Althea Been, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry,  is $6.3 million; she was reporting on May 3 to the Appropriations’ Committee of the House of Assembly.

Increasingly, bloody wars between criminal gangs, an undermanned and outgunned police force and crumbling democratic systems, have worsened the humanitarian crises in the country, which sits north of the TCI; about 30 minutes away by flight.

Dozens of people are killed weekly in Haiti and the UN says almost half its residents are at risk of starvation as larger wealthier countries hem and haw about how much aid they are willing to send.

As reported by Magnetic Media previously “The entire state of Florida is 170,312 kilometres squared, about 12 times the size of the Bahamas which sits at 13,880 km².  The Bahamas in turn is just about 14 times larger than the Turks and Caicos.”

At least a hundred Haitians arrive on each fast boat, the latest intercepted on April 25th was carrying 240.

In fact, if the Turks and Caicos had not deported the migrants who arrived in the country in only three weeks this January, the population would have grown 0.55 percent. Former Governor Nigel Dakin said: “This is, pro-rata, the equivalent of 360,000 crossing the English Channel, or 1.6 million attempting to cross the US’s southern border, over nine days.”

Musgrove described the calls as ‘ill advised’: “Until the UN can really come together and ask those countries who can afford it like the US and France– for help with Haiti, then they cannot ask small countries like the Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas to stop repatriating Haitians. That is wrong and ill-advised from the UN.”

Caribbean News

Cabinet Approves Unemployment Insurance Benefit for NIS Contributors

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Kingston, Jamaica, May 17, 2025 – Cabinet has approved the introduction of the unemployment insurance benefit, which will be added to the suite of provisions under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

The new benefit will serve as a guaranteed safety net for all employees who contribute to the NIS, except for self-employed persons.

Additionally, work is under way to establish the requisite legal and institutional frameworks to implement this important national support system.

“One of the key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is the urgent need for a system that supports workers who lose their jobs, helping them to remain financially stable while seeking re-employment,” Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said during his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 13).

Meanwhile, the Government has taken a decisive step to strengthen the nation’s social security framework by implementing the Social Protection for Increased Resilience and Opportunity (SPIRO), a US$20-million initiative supported by the World Bank.

Mr. Charles Jr. noted that SPIRO, which was launched last year, represents a transformative shift in social governance, with three strategic pillars – the creation of a unified Social Protection Information System (SPIS), supporting the introduction of unemployment insurance, and modernising of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS).

“The project is already generating impact through comprehensive assessments led by expert consultants, aimed at overhauling labour market services,” he stated.

The Minister further indicated that there will be upgrades to the Electronic Labour Exchange (ELE) and LMIS, which will enhance the digital infrastructure for employment services.

 

CONTACT: LATONYA LINTON

Release: JIS

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Government

Governor Calls for Bold, Community-Led Policing in Crime Fight

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Providenciales, TCI Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam has issued a strong call for data-driven, intelligence-led and community-based policing to combat rising crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands. In remarks delivered at the recent swearing-in of Commissioner Fitz Bailey, the Governor underscored the urgent need for reform, accountability and strategic collaboration across agencies and borders.

“Our response to crime must be strategic, data-driven, intelligence-led and collaborative—across agencies, across borders and above all, with the communities we serve,” the Governor said, addressing law enforcement officers and regional dignitaries.

She warned that criminal networks are becoming more sophisticated, and that the TCI is at the “sharp end” of regional security threats. Against that backdrop, she outlined a vision for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force as an institution rooted in fairness, strengthened by public trust, and driven by results.

“We must be unforgiving in our zero-tolerance approach to misconduct,” she added. “Wearing the badge must continue to be a source of pride, not of power or privilege.”

Governor Selvaratnam praised Commissioner Bailey for his record of modern, community-focused leadership and said his appointment marked a critical moment for the country’s law enforcement strategy. While the ceremony took place two weeks ago, her words continue to resonate amid ongoing public concern about violent crime and border security.

Quoting from the Bible and invoking the moral arc of justice, the Governor emphasized that effective policing must be grounded in integrity, humility and service.

With regional police leaders from Jamaica and The Bahamas in attendance, the event signaled a united front against shared threats—and a new chapter in the push for a safer, more resilient Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Bahamas News

Heads of Agreement signing ceremony in Freeport, Grand Bahama, but why were they unable to tear the building down with the backhoe?? 

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Freeport, Grand Bahama, May 15, 2025

 

Exciting announcements:

$827 million investment
1750 permanent jobs
1300 construction jobs

Seven-pronged vision includes cruise friendly hotel; redesigned Greg Norman signature golf course; marina; convention space; new pool casino; and refurbished Port Lucaya marina which is being acquired in the deal.

ZNS reported that “money is in the bank” according to Chester Cooper, the investment and tourism minister.

Packed room to hear the announcement of the new Lucayan Hotel which will shutter in order to accommodate the redevelopment.

Staff to be supported during this time.

There is skepticism but also optimism as this deal feels more real than previous two and is touted as a solid fit.

Curt Hollingsworth, Bahamas Consul General based in Florida gets an admirable, honourable mention as being the one to introduce Steve Sirang to the Prime Minister.

Grand Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey described the momentous occasion this way, “I proudly witnessed the signing of the Heads of Agreement
for the sale and redevelopment of the Grand Lucayan Resort to Ancient Waters Bahamas
Limited, wholly owned by Concord Wilshire Capital, LLC. Concord Wilshire is widely
known for stellar and award-winning developments.”

A third event is slated for Port Lucaya Marketplace; it follows the signing and a reception on the Great Lawn of the resort and mock demolition of the luxury lanai suites.

▪️A Magnetic Media report▪️

Photo is a screenshot of ZNS Live coverage

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