TCI News
Setting Bad Precedent or Unfair Administration of the Law? Same Sex decision ignites public debate
Garfield Ekon
Staff Writer
Former premier Michael Misick has levelled fraud assertions against his former employee, Richard Sankar who was successful in a court case challenging his Turks and Caicos (TCI) Islander status.
The case was decided in Sankar’s favour in 2021, and the former Premier is now saying the man, a Real Estate Broker, who once worked for his family real estate business, married a woman for Islander status, and never consummated it, then married a man to give him status.
Sankar and his spouse, Timothy Haymon won a claim for his same-sex partner to work in the Islands, in line with permissions granted under the TCI Constitution. That landmark ruling was handed down by Justice Anthony Gruchot on March 12, 2024 upholding his partner’s right to work in the TCI, as typically provided for heterosexual spouses.
Hour after news of the ruling broke, Misick took to his official social media page to blast the Real Estate Broker. The former Premier called on the Government to revoke Sankar’s Turks and Caicos Islander status, claiming that it was obtained by fraud.
“I further call on the Government, after revoking Richard Sankar status, to have him deported never to set foot in our country again. This is making a mockery of our system and country. Deem him to be persona non grata,” the former premier stated.
In a response, Sankar through his attorney Tim Prudhoe, said the claims, stating that he married the local woman in 2008 and their divorce became final in 2020.
He stated: “At no stage during that period up-to-any, including the Decree Absolute, was any evidence presented either by or on behalf of my then wife that the marriage was not valid or somehow otherwise void.”
Sankar further added that prior to his marriage, in the first half of 2005, he had applied for a Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) based on the then requirement of five continuous years of work permits.
“That application was never decided. Its existence at all was not even acknowledged on behalf of TCIG until 2021.”
Sankar also exposed in his statement, that during 2007, when Michael Misick was premier, he was “placed on the Stop List (a power of the Director of Immigration, then Desmond Wilson). Thus, preventing my re-entry to the jurisdiction. No reason has ever been given as to why Part VI (Sections 59-60) of the Immigration Ordinance was used to so designate me.”
Sankar admits that he married a Turks and Caicos woman in 2008, once he returned to the islands having been removed from the Stop List.
In May 2021, Sankar says he finally managed to secure his Turks and Caicos Islander status and had hoped to understand, “how an employment disagreement with a powerful family of Turks and Caicos Islanders could ever be used for the purposes of the Stop List.”
That matter remains in court and pending, according to Sankar.
While Michael Misick remains resolute that, “If this is allowed to stand as it is setting a terrible precedent that anyone can become married through fraud and then get a status and divorce a Turks and Caicos Islander and marry someone else and pass it on to them.”
Turks and Caicos, December 9, 2024 – What defines a person’s legacy: their struggles, their triumphs, or the impact they leave on others? For one Grand Turk native, Clyde Holiday, better known as “Crab”, the answer lies in an unwavering commitment to perseverance, faith, and community.
Born to an American Air Force father and a Turks Islander mother, this fearless son of the soil grew up in a small island community. From a young age, he embraced challenges, first as a motorcyclist and later as a skilled operator of heavy equipment and a businessman.
A passion for machinery and mechanics led him to Florida, where he perfected his craft and also worked in the restaurant industry. He later earned a certification as a marine mechanic. His entrepreneurial spirit, however, was not without hurdles.
Like many self-starters, he encountered failures in his early ventures. Yet, he refused to let setbacks define him. His first business venture came with a partnership chance with a Bahamian businessman in the meat industry which was a major breakthrough.
It proved that opportunity often arrives disguised as hard work, but success was fleeting. Entangled with the wrong crowd, he succumbed to addiction—a devastating chapter that brought legal troubles and shattered dreams.
What followed was a journey of redemption. While incarcerated, he experienced a moment of spiritual reckoning, drawing strength from his
faith and a Bible verse that stayed with him: “God gave men dominion over all things, but only He can change a man.”
Rejecting despair, he leaned into his community, church, and family, finding support in his first wife and guidance from local leaders. Emerging from this crucible, he rebuilt his life, uniting his faith and entrepreneurial drive.
His turning point came in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, when the storm devastated Turks and Caicos, leaving the government financially crippled.
This was his opportunity to step up and as a heavy equipment operator, he worked for years under an IOU agreement, repairing infrastructure and helping his country rebuild.
His sacrifices eventually paid off, enabling him to invest in a thriving grocery business and apartments.
What others viewed as disaster, he transformed into opportunity—a lesson in resilience for a nation still grappling with systemic challenges.
Today, he oversees seven businesses, embodying the potential of self-made success. Yet his greatest pride lies not in personal wealth but in community impact.
A staunch advocate for youth empowerment at an earlier age.
He calls for targeted education programs in schools to nurture trade skills, because not everyone is college bound. He also calls for unionization of suppliers to lower costs of goods, and reforms to strengthen economic self-sufficiency.
His philosophy challenges politicians and citizens alike to rethink their roles in how they can help shape the country’s future.
For skeptics, his story raises difficult questions about the role of personal responsibility versus systemic reform. Is it enough to inspire individuals, or must societies provide the structures to support their potential? His life suggests both are necessary. By turning personal struggles into public contributions, he exemplifies how individual resilience can intersect with collective progress.
When asked how he wishes to be remembered, his response is as inspiring as his journey: “For my love, charity, and care for the people of this great country.”
His life serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and a vision that extends beyond self-interest—a legacy that challenges us all to think bigger.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Employment Services Department is happy to announce the opening of our Online Work Permit Portal, effective 13th January 2025. This new system will make the work permit application procedure more efficient and straightforward.
Both will be able to access the portal:
• Corporate Applicants: Businesses or groups submitting applications on behalf of their staff members.
• General Applicants: People who apply for work permits directly.
A link to the portal APS Login and a demo video Application Processing System 18.Nov.2024.wmv with step-by-step instructions https://borderforceapps.gov.tc/download/guide.pdf is provided to ensure a smooth transition and ease of use. These resources will guide users through the registration process and demonstrate how to navigate and use the portal effectively.
This initiative is part of our commitment to improving efficiency, reducing processing times, and enhancing accessibility for all applicants.
We encourage all stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the portal before its launch. Training resources and detailed instructions are available to ensure a smooth transition.
For more information or assistance, please get in touch with the Employment Services Department at:
- Phone: 338-5639/4115
- Email: lsgibbs@gov.tc or cjoutten@gov.tc
- Website: APS Login
The Department appreciates your cooperation as we transition to this innovative platform to serve you better.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Pan American Health Organization hosted a Training of Trainers on the Strategic Risk Assessment using the Strategic Tool for Assessing Risk (STAR) in St George’s, Grenada from 5 -7 November 2024.
The objectives of this training were:
- to Train Health Disaster Managers and counterparts on the STAR Methodology
- conduct a multi-stakeholder strategic risk assessment for Grenada
The Strategic Tool for Assessing Risk (STAR) Tool has been developed by WHO (the World Health Organisation), to support member states in risk assessment using a standardised methodology.
STAR is a comprehensive toolkit to enable countries and regions to conduct a strategic, rapid, and evidence-base assessment of public health risk for planning and prioritisation of health emergency and disaster risk management activities.
Participants for this training included a multi-stakeholder group from Grenada as well as Health Disaster managers from Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St Vincent, Trinidad and members from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
Joining the PAHO/WHO team as a facilitator for this training was the Director of Health Disaster, Education and Training of the Health Emergency Management Unit, Miss Charlene Higgs.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services congratulates Miss Higgs on this great accomplishment and her leadership role in the area of Health Disaster and Emergency Management in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth.
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