New Look, New Tactics as TCI Border Force set to start October 

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, September 29, 2023 – The Turks and Caicos Border Force will be up and running by next month according to Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Services who gave a national update on the progress of the squad during a recent parliamentary meeting.

“We now have a date of October 30^th, 2023 for the launch of the first phase,” he explained. The force has been described as ‘revolutionary by Anya Williams, Deputy Governor.

Musgrove was speaking in the House of Assembly on September 20th and revealed that this initial phase will incorporate the Customs and Border Protection agencies as well as the Intelligence and Corporate Units.

Musgrove explained that the Corporate Unit would serve as a sort of auditor for the Border Force and the Ministry.

“Our Corporate Unit will include our assurance functions that will audit our processes and our actions to ensure that we are upholding the mission, vision, and principles of our Border Force,” he said.

The minister is promising updated operating structures, agents with new skills and a new look with updated uniforms, all in an effort to tighten the country’s security at its very porous borders.

The Force is aiming to secure the TCI against human and drug trafficking (which in recent weeks have shown an alarming correlation), arms trafficking, poaching and more.

“Not only will we look different, but we will also work differently – and that is what is key,” the minister promised.

The Force will be under the control of Emilio Seymour who was appointed Director General back in April.

More security features, including the long-awaited container scanners for the country’s ports, are also on the Minister’s agenda.