News
UK Citizenship Override Fuels TCI Independence Push: Green Paper Outlines Vision for Sovereign Future
Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Turks and Caicos, June 29, 2025 – A decision by the United Kingdom to override the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Status Commission and approve 49 previously denied citizenship applications has sent shockwaves through the territory—sparking national outrage, legal challenges, and a renewed call for full independence from British rule.
The unprecedented move, following a Supreme Court ruling that found no justification for the denials, is being widely interpreted as a violation of TCI’s right to self-determination. Many now see it as a turning point in the long-simmering debate over who truly governs the Islands.
In response, the National Independence Steering Committee (NISC) has released a sweeping Green Paper titled “Independence: What It Is
and What It Is Not”, dated June 19, 2025. The document lays out a bold framework for a sovereign Turks and Caicos Islands—one in which internal security, immigration control, and democratic self-governance are placed squarely in the hands of Turks and Caicos Islanders.
Why Now? The UK’s intervention on citizenship is seen by many as the latest in a series of decisions made without local input or consent. Critics argue that such actions undermine the territory’s autonomy and override the very institutions created to safeguard its national identity.
“This is not just about 49 applicants,” said a NISC spokesperson. “It’s about our ability to decide who belongs here, and by extension, who we are as a people. If we cannot make that decision independently, then we are not truly self-governing.”
Independence Defined
The Green Paper stresses that independence does not mean cutting ties with the UK or the international community. Instead, it frames independence as the ability to govern internally without external vetoes.
“Independence means Turks and Caicos, for Turks and Caicos Islanders,” the paper states. “We will still trade with the world and maintain strong alliances, but on our terms—not theirs.”
Key benefits of independence outlined include:
- Full control over domestic policies and immigration;
- Economic sovereignty and trade freedom;
- Diplomatic representation and international visibility;
- Cultural affirmation and leadership by Heritage Turks and Caicos Islanders.
Proposed Government Model
The document proposes a Unitary Parliamentary Republic, preserving the familiar parliamentary traditions of the current Westminster system while giving Turks and Caicos full legislative independence.
- A President would serve as the ceremonial Head of State, while a Prime Minister, elected by Parliament, would direct government policy.
- A unicameral Parliament would consist of elected and expert-appointed members.
- An independent judiciary would guarantee rule of law, with provisions for regional appellate cooperation.
- Local government councils would be elected on each island to handle localized governance, enhancing inclusion and grassroots democracy.
A new Constitution, shaped through public consultation, would enshrine rights, define status protections, and guarantee participation mechanisms like referenda and civic petitions.
Immigration and Security: Urgent Priorities
The Green Paper’s strongest language is reserved for internal security and immigration—areas viewed as the most compromised under the current UK-led framework.
“The reality is stark,” the document warns. “Illegal immigration, primarily from Haiti, has overwhelmed our capacity to protect our borders. This undermines public safety, overburdens our social systems, and erodes our national identity.”
Proposals include:
- A mass crackdown on undocumented immigrants through workplace raids, verification checks, and large-scale deportation.
- Zero tolerance for illegal hiring, with heavy fines for employers and landlords.
- A stronger Coast Guard with drone and radar surveillance capabilities.
- A Permanent Border Task Force and regional security agreements with the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, the UK, and the U.S.
- A moratorium on unskilled work permits, and a skilled-worker-only immigration path.
- Expansion of the police force, a biometric national ID system, and the formation of a National Defense Force.
Economic Resilience and Currency Stability
To maintain financial continuity, the Green Paper recommends retaining the U.S. dollar as the national currency. The USD has been in use since the 1970s and is credited with supporting price stability and investor confidence in the Islands’ tourism-driven economy.
This strategy, the NISC says, will avoid the shocks associated with new currency issuance and support seamless international trade.
Food Security, Diplomacy, and the Road Ahead
Future independence planning will also address food security, climate resilience, and foreign affairs, ensuring TCI can feed itself, protect its environment, and engage the world from a position of strength.
The Green Paper calls for national consultations, civic education, and a step-by-step roadmap toward independence—stressing that the transition will be orderly, inclusive, and guided by the will of the people.
“We must decide: Will we secure our future by taking control of our own destiny, or will we leave it to others to shape it for us?” the report concludes.
As debate intensifies across the Islands, one thing is clear: the UK’s recent override has not just raised questions about policy—it has reopened the question of sovereignty itself.
Caribbean News
Regional and U.S. Officials Warn: “Do Not Travel to Haiti” Amid Escalating Violence, Terrorism, and Breakdown in Order
Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Turks and Caicos, July 14, 2025 – In a rare and touching moment during the Royal Navy’s latest deployment to the Turks and Caicos
Islands, Father Matteo Zambon, chaplain aboard HMS Medway, led a communion service at His Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk. The intimate spiritual gathering brought reflection and encouragement to inmates and staff, and was described by observers as “deeply moving.”
The service was a standout feature of HMS Medway’s multifaceted visit, showcasing the Royal Navy’s humanitarian and pastoral outreach, not just its operational capacity. While the ship is widely recognized for its disaster readiness and security work in the region, the prison service offered a profound, personal dimension to the deployment.
Alongside this spiritual engagement, HMS Medway conducted a simulated beach landing exercise in collaboration with the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, aimed at improving disaster response coordination. The Royal Navy’s Crisis Response Troop participated in the operation, which took place on the beach adjacent to the Grand Turk cruise pier and concluded safely before ship traffic resumed.
The visit also reinforced UK support for the Overseas Territories during hurricane season. HMS Medway, permanently stationed in the Caribbean, is outfitted with emergency relief supplies, medical kits, and equipment for clearing debris and restoring access in the aftermath of natural disasters.
In Providenciales, the crew met with local officials and conducted further training and outreach activities. The deployment builds on strong
ties established during previous visits, including youth mentorship programs and joint patrols with the TCI Marine Branch and Police Force.
Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam has previously praised the UK’s forward-deployed assets like HMS Medway as “critical to disaster preparedness, maritime security, and community support”. This most recent visit deepens that role, showing how hard power can be paired with soft-touch diplomacy.
As HMS Medway resumes regional patrols, its legacy in the Turks and Caicos this year will not only be measured in drills and deployments—but in the quiet connection made behind prison walls, where faith, dignity, and humanity were affirmed by a visiting chaplain in naval uniform.
In a place often associated with hardship and consequence, Father Zambon’s communion service served as a rare reminder: that even the most disciplined missions can carry a message of hope.
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