Bi-Partisan Support on REMOVAL of Islander Status clause

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, June 12, 2023 – Even with all the new changes in the amendment to the TCI Islander Status Ordinance which had bipartisan approval, there was one clause that was snatched out of the bill at the last minute by Premier Washington Misick, and had he not done so, it is likely he would have faced staunch opposition.

The redacted clause had to do with how Islander status is passed from parent to child.

“The bill before us today as originally presented has a clause that we would like to strike or at least defer for future public consultation and that is in relation to how we deal with the dependent children of persons who would receive status by grant,” Misick explained.

The clause reads: A person acquires islander status if he is the child of a parent who acquired islander status by grant under section 4 whether by marriage or otherwise.

Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader said, had the clause not been removed, the opposition would have had to speak up against it.

“I’m happy that the Premier had flagged it because it prevented a lot of back and forth. This is too vague,” he maintained.

Astwood said this could cause parasitic relationships where residents who had nothing to offer but much to gain were awarded status because of who their parents were.

“I’m happy that we’re pulling out this section and we’re going to develop it more because it is troublesome– and we have to take it to the people.”

Akierra Missick, Member of Parliament for Leeward and Long Bay for her part said if the clause had remained, it could have been unfair for certain demographics including TC Islanders who got their status by descent.

“If the provision about the instantaneous grant to the dependent child of a person who has received islander status on their grant was to remain, it would have disenfranchised many islanders if a provision for great grand [children] was not also included.”

She shared a personal example where the great grandchildren of TCI islanders who happened to have been born overseas but lived their whole life in the Turks and Caicos, and still were not considered citizens by law.

“We have to be cognizant of the fact that providing those that already have the economic benefit in these islands another level of protection could be to the detriment of the islanders whom we represent.”

She maintained though that those persons who have a sustainable economic and socially contributory attitude to the TCI should be considered.

In regard to how the clause would be amended, going forward Premier Misick said, “It is going to be left up to the public to guide the discussions.”

The bill and its provisions will be discussed in further detail with the public during a consultation period, which lasts until June 23.