News
First 73 days; Border Force DEPORTS Hundreds, SEIZES Cash and stops UNDECLARED goods plus Minister has WARNING
Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
Turks and Caicos, March 15, 2025 – The new minister of Immigration and Border Services says his Border Force is intensifying efforts to root out illegals within the Turks and Caicos, jointly part of 16 operations which nabbed 450 illegals who have been deported.
“The Enforcement Unit is currently participating in a joint operation, Operation Mightier, alongside other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). This initiative enhances the presence of (LEAs) across various areas of Providenciales, primarily at night.
Operation Mightier involves Vehicle Check Points (VCPs), enforcement visits to bars and informal settlements, and regular patrols throughout Providenciales,” said Jamell Robinson, during his ministerial statement in a recent parliamentary session.
The operations are also being carried out during the daytime and the construction sites are in the crosshairs of the enforcement agencies.
“The Enforcement Unit plans to execute several major joint operations with other agencies in the coming months,” he said.
In addition to thwarting criminal activity within the islands, the Investigation Unit, according to Deputy Premier Robinson, has intercepted huge sums of money being smuggled out of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“The Investigation Unit is currently handling seven cases involving undeclared money seizures while exiting the islands, totaling $161,675. Mr. Speaker, this unit is also investigating other immigration and offenses, including failure to observe conditions on work permit, unlawful entry in gainful occupation, employing prohibited persons, furnishing false information, remaining in the islands beyond the permitted time, and possession of forged documents.
The unit also investigates each vessel intercepted by the Border Force.”
While partnerships with other agencies will continue to be a hallmark maneuver in the operational tactics of the Border Force, it is also working its more organic mandates with important results, said the minister.
Two portable container scanners are added to the Anti-Smuggling Team’s assets; it’s said the equipment has helped with the detection of 22 instances of undeclared goods between January and February. This figure, according to the statistics shared by Minister Robinson, may be outpacing the find on undeclared goods between October and December 2024 when there were 66 instances over the three months.
“Since January of this year ,161 general containers were selected for examination, uncovering four breaches. This resulted in the collection of $7,062.35 in duties and $3,000.00 in penalties and fines.”
More significant figures came when the minister broadened the scope of Border Force operations.
“Mr. Speaker, the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force continues to uphold its commitment to trade compliance, recovering a whopping $1,389,347.71 in unpaid customs duties and fees from five major importers between September 2024 and January 2025.
This latest recovery brings the total amount collected through compliance checks to $1,752,539.11 between May 2024 and February 2025.”
Jamell Robinson, the Deputy Premier is also pleased with the training exposure of the Border Force which is building up to a building out of the manpower of the team.
“…under the Border Force Foundation Programme, newly recruited officers have recently begun their twelve (12) weeks onboarding programme which includes classroom training, e-Learning courses and on-the-job training. Our teams across the ministry continue to attract outstanding talent, and some highly technical skilled expertise for specialist areas and there is an aggressive approach to training and upskilling our workforce.”
The minister had a warning for employers engaged in or contemplating illegal hiring.
“If you are bringing your friends and family here and putting them to work at your business establishment or to help with the construction of your property, without proper documentation, I also want you to know that, that is illegal. I beg you to stop it now, and have them leave, because we will come like a thief in the night and find you.
Mr. Speaker, I make no apologies for saying this because that there is unfair to the business who have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in work permit fees, and a Turks and Caicos Islander who could have otherwise been employed. It doesn’t matter nationality, there is no discrimination with the law. Leave before we find you, because we will deal with you at the full extent of the law,” said Robinson.
The statement was made during the Wednesday March 12, 2025 meeting of the House of Assembly.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 25 February 2026: Staff of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) participated in a one‑day Professional Staff Development Workshop on Thursday, 19th February 2026. The session was facilitated by former DDME Director (2011–2021) and current Permanent Secretary of the Governor’s Office, Dr. Virginia Clerveaux.
The in-house workshop was organised by the DDME Training Unit, to focus on the National Disaster Management Framework, strengthening staff understanding of their roles and responsibilities within disaster management. The session also aimed to enhance the effectiveness of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and reinforce inter‑agency coordination.
Drawing on her extensive experience in disaster management in the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as several deployments to CDEMA member states including Haiti, The Bahamas, and Jamaica, Dr. Clerveaux provided practical insights that reinforced key concepts and clarified operational expectations. Staff members actively participated in discussions and shared recommendations to improve sub‑committee performance and overall departmental efficiency.
To support learning retention, the workshop incorporated pre‑ and post‑assessments, enabling participants to evaluate their understanding and track improvements.
Acting Director of DDME, Mr. Kevaun Lucas stated: “Investing in the continued development of our team is essential to strengthening national resilience. This and future planned workshops will help to reinforce our commitment to building a highly skilled, well‑coordinated workforce capable of leading and supporting disaster management efforts across the Turks and Caicos Islands. I am proud of the team’s engagement and encouraged by the meaningful contributions they made throughout the session.”
This Professional Staff Development Workshop forms part of DDME’s ongoing commitment to enhancing internal capacity, strengthening operational coordination and improving overall departmental synergy as the agency continues to advance national preparedness and response capabilities.
Photo Captions:
Caribbean News
Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion
Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.
The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.
“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital
policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.
“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”
Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.
Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.
Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”
Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.
Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.
Photo Caption:
TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key
government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.
The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.
The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and
posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.
The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.
