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Lived Five Years in TCI undetected, now serving Five Months in Prison before Repatriation

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Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

 

#TurksandCaicos, November 25, 2023 – He told the court, he was living in Turks and Caicos Islands for the past five years without being detected. He also admitted being detained before and sent home many years ago.

This was from 2018 to the date of his arrest in 2023 in the Northwest Point area.  However, Ministry of Immigration records revealed to the Court that the accused, Charles Anderson was arrested and repatriated without charge on at least three different occasions. Dates given to the court were:  12th February, 2008;  8th April, 2013 and again on 29th October, 2013.

He also told the Hon. Chief Magistrate (CM) Mr. Jolyon Hatmin on Monday 13th November, 2023 that he has three young children he is maintaining. Their ages are 12, 10 and 5. Two are his biological children and one he adopted from a close family members when she was sent back home by TCI Immigration authorities.

Two of those children reside in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The CM asked him what was he doing in the islands for the past five years and Anderson replied that he worked as a mechanic, with extra side jobs like masonry.

The Haitian man also told the court after all those years, he had just received a 10 percent receipt for his work permit.

Mr. Hatmin was shocked by this revelation directly from the month of an illegal man and said, “I don’t know how someone who’s in the country illegally is even being processed for a work permit and has a receipt.”

The man was questioned as to why he was at North West point area but he said, “I was not Northwest Point.  I was in Wheeland fixing my friend’s car; I didn’t had no one on the boat. I didn’t had no one that come in illegally.”

He was only arrested when Police and TCI Regiment members and the newly established Border Force officers were heading to the Northwest Point area after learning of an alleged illegal immigrants’ sloop successfully making land fall and the multi-task agencies (mentioned above) rushed to that location in pursuit of the Haitians, said to already be on the run.

When the unlawful entry charge was read to the accused CHARLES ANDERSON he immediately pleaded guilty to entering the Turks and Caicos Islands unlawfully without Immigration permission sometime in the year 2018.

Anderson however denied that he done it three times before but said yes, only once before and this time and then remained for five years.

Although there was no official report from authorities about this illegal landing, Magnetic Media can confirm receiving reports from residents that an illegal boat made landfall undetected around the night of October 31, 2023.

Deportation was recommended by the CM after Anderson has completed his sentence. He was given a five month prison term.

There was no instruction regarding the children of Mr. Anderson.

Crime

Police Report NEW MURDER, No 44 for 2024

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Turks and Caicos, December 7, 2024 – “Homicide detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are actively investigating a homicide in Five Cays, Providenciales.

Initial reports indicate that shortly after 10 pm yesterday (December 06th), the Police Control Room received several calls stating that gunshots were being heard in the area of Sandy Land.

RT&CIPF officers responded to the given location and found the lifeless body of a male with what appeared to be gunshot wounds about the body.  The victim was later identified as NEIL RIGBY, 52, of Five Cays.

The RT&CIPF offers condolences to Mr. Rigby’s relatives and friends.

The RT&CIPF is asking anyone with information that may help in this investigation to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide any information anonymously.

Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app.

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Minister response to Trump deportation

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Statement from the Minister of Immigration

Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands

 

 

 

Turks and Caicos, December 5, 2024 – The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands categorically states that we will not, under any circumstances, accept deportees from the United States or any other nation who are not citizens of Turks and Caicos. Our country’s immigration policies are clear and firmly rooted in the principles of sovereignty, the protection of our borders, and the welfare of our people.

Turks and Caicos, like all nations, has the sovereign right to determine who may reside within its borders. The unilateral imposition of third-country deportation policies, such as those reportedly under consideration by the incoming Trump administration, is fundamentally at odds with international norms and legal standards.

We are deeply concerned about any suggestion of displacing individuals to countries with which they have no connection. Such policies disregard the cultural, social, and economic implications for receiving countries and the humanitarian impact on the individuals affected.

We remind all stakeholders that Turks and Caicos is already facing significant challenges managing irregular migration and the accompanying strain on our resources. We will not permit external policies to exacerbate these challenges, nor undermine or dictate our national security.

Our Government remains committed to maintaining strong diplomatic relations with the United States and our other international partners. However, we are steadfast in our commitment to protecting the interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands and upholding the integrity of our immigration system.

To be clear: The Turks and Caicos Islands will not participate in any program that seeks to forcibly relocate individuals here against their will, or ours.

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Reported Weekend Incidents

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Turks and Caicos,  December 03rd, 2024 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is actively investigating incidents involving an attempted robbery and a reported armed robbery in Providenciales on November 30 and December 02, 2024.

Incident 1: Attempted Robbery at Service Station

Shortly after midnight on November 30, 2024, officers responded to a report of an attempted robbery at a Service Station on Leeward Highway. Based on preliminary reports, a lone male approached the premises from a black Honda Fit vehicle. The suspect, armed with a firearm,

struck an employee, causing a wound. The suspect fled in the car. At the same time, the employee was transported to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where he received treatment for his injuries.

Incident 2: Armed Robbery at Eatery

On November 30, 2024, at approximately 6:57 p.m., the police received a report of an armed robbery at an eating establishment in Blue Hills. Two masked individuals, one armed with a firearm, entered the premises and robbed patrons. No injuries were reported, and the suspects fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction.

Incident 3: Robbery/Malicious Injuries to Property

On the evening of Monday, December 2, 2024, a male driver was proceeding along Walter Cox Drive when he stopped to drop off a passenger. While reversing, an unidentified male armed with a cinder block demanded the driver exit his vehicle. The driver complied and was robbed of personal belongings. The suspect proceeded to use the cinder block to shatter the rear passenger side window before fleeing the scene.

We urge anyone with information about these incidents to come forward.

Individuals can contact the Serious Crime Unit at (649)-232-6696 or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477.

Additionally, persons are asked to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app and provide information.

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