News
Immigration officers to get more power
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, July 7, 2023 – Along with changes to residency and work permits, the Government also wants to increase the reach of Immigration Officers in the Turks and Caicos Islands with new amendments to the Immigration Ordinance; but before any changes are set in stone, residents are being invited to weigh in.
The Government has proposed that Immigration Officers will be now known as simply “Officers”, as Immigration and Customs merge into a single entity. With that upgraded title would come more power as well including:
- Increased power to search;
- Use of reasonable force;
- Interrogation of evidence and;
- Detention.
The proposed amendments follow calls from several members of parliament including Willin Belliard, Governors Appointed Member, and Opposition Leader Edwin Astwood to equip Immigration officers with weapons, even if they are non-lethal; and the revelation that the Immigration Department was quietly working on a bill to arm frontline workers.
Weapons Althea Been, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services had explained at the time, that they hoped to get the draft in by the end of 2023, to allow them to carry things like Tasers, pepper sprays, batons, and body cameras.
Continuing with the proposed amendments to the Immigration Ordinance, TCIG also says they want to introduce a new position, ‘Director General,’ to act as the Head of both Immigration and Customs Controls.
The Bill is available to the public via the government’s Facebook page and a survey will open up on July 15th allowing residents to comment on the changes before they are made permanent in the House of Assembly.
***MEDIA RELEASE***
Turks and Caicos, 28th April 2025 – On Saturday, April 26th, 2025, officers from the Marine Branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) responded to a report of illegal migrants spotted in the mangrove area along the southeastern side of North Caicos.
The United States Coast Guard (Air Support Unit), the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, and the Department of Fisheries and Marine
Resources Management supported the operation.
Upon arrival at the location, RT&CIPF officers apprehended eleven (11) male individuals, all confirmed to be of Haitian nationality.
The individuals were detained and transported to Providenciales, where they were handed over to officers from Border Force for processing and further investigation.
We continue to urge members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious maritime or coastal activity to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force by calling 911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide information anonymously.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.
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