Government
Bi-Partisan Support on REMOVAL of Islander Status clause
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 12, 2023 – Even with all the new changes in the amendment to the TCI Islander Status Ordinance which had bipartisan approval, there was one clause that was snatched out of the bill at the last minute by Premier Washington Misick, and had he not done so, it is likely he would have faced staunch opposition.
The redacted clause had to do with how Islander status is passed from parent to child.
“The bill before us today as originally presented has a clause that we would like to strike or at least defer for future public consultation and that is in relation to how we deal with the dependent children of persons who would receive status by grant,” Misick explained.
The clause reads: A person acquires islander status if he is the child of a parent who acquired islander status by grant under section 4 whether by marriage or otherwise.
Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader said, had the clause not been removed, the opposition would have had to speak up against it. 
“I’m happy that the Premier had flagged it because it prevented a lot of back and forth. This is too vague,” he maintained.
Astwood said this could cause parasitic relationships where residents who had nothing to offer but much to gain were awarded status because of who their parents were.
“I’m happy that we’re pulling out this section and we’re going to develop it more because it is troublesome– and we have to take it to the people.”
Akierra Missick, Member of Parliament for Leeward and Long Bay for her part said if the clause had remained, it could have been unfair for certain demographics including TC Islanders who got their status by descent.
“If the provision about the instantaneous grant to the dependent child of a person who has received islander status on their grant was to remain, it would have disenfranchised many islanders if a provision for great grand [children] was not also included.”
She shared a personal example where the great grandchildren of TCI islanders who happened to have been born overseas but lived their whole life in the Turks and Caicos, and still were not considered citizens by law.
“We have to be cognizant of the fact that providing those that already have the economic benefit in these islands another level of protection could be to the detriment of the islanders whom we represent.”
She maintained though that those persons who have a sustainable economic and socially contributory attitude to the TCI should be considered.
In regard to how the clause would be amended, going forward Premier Misick said, “It is going to be left up to the public to guide the discussions.”
The bill and its provisions will be discussed in further detail with the public during a consultation period, which lasts until June 23.
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – Ms. Patricia Arana has been sworn in on13 May 2024 as Resident Magistrate, Grand Turk. She first joined the Judiciary of the Turks and Caicos Islands as Registrar of the Magistrate’s Court in April 2022.
Prior to taking up the position of Registrar of the Magistrate’s Court, she was the Deputy Registrar General at the Supreme Court of her native Belize in Belize City. She started her judicial career as a Magistrate in 2010 and was promoted to the position of Senior
Magistrate in 2015. As Senior Magistrate, she worked in several districts in Belize, and acted as Chief Magistrate on several occasions. She was also within that period, seconded for two years as Legal Counsel to the Financial Intelligence Unit of Belize.
Ms. Arana is a graduate of the University of the West Indies where she obtained a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) Degree, and a graduate of the Norman Manley Law School, Jamaica, where she obtained her Legal Education Certificate. There she distinguished herself when she received the H.H. Dunn Memorial Prize for Legal Drafting and Interpretation.
Regionally, Ms. Arana currently serves as an Executive Member of the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers (CAJO) on behalf of the Judiciary of the Turks and Caicos Islands. She is also an active member of the Caribbean Association of Women Judges (CAWJ), and the National Garifuna Council (NGC) Orange Walk Branch.
In the Turks and Caicos Islands, Ms. Arana has since her appointment in 2022, served in various capacities: ADR Administrator and lately a member of the Mediation Committee, a member of the Breach Process Rules Committee, Justice of the Peace Vetting Panel, Justice of the Peace Disciplinary Panel, and Election Adjudicator.
#TurksandCaicos, May 20, 2024 – The Governor’s Office can confirm that Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-
Selvaratnam and the Honourable Premier Charles Washington Misick will this morning receive a US Congressional delegation, who have requested a meeting to discuss the recent arrests of US nationals for possession of ammunition offences.
The US delegation, which arrived yesterday evening, was met by Protocol officials and is due to depart this afternoon.
-
News2 days agoEleven Senators, Three Governors make appeals for Leniency; Five Americans now face 12 Years in Prison
-
TCI News1 week agoEquity in Energy says Bahamas Energy & Transport Minister in legislative roll out
-
TCI News1 week agoAMERICAN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER ALLEGEDLY ARRESTED FOR TWO BULLETS
-
TCI News1 week agoFamily of 16 tourist claims negligence in Grand Turk jet ski death; Coroner’s Court hearing evidence
-
Caribbean News1 week agoMagnetic Media attends Caribbean Media Summit, in focus AI in Journalism
-
Bahamas News1 week agoThe Bahamas Successfully Hosts Its Fourth World Athletics Relays
-
News23 hours agoAlleged Theft of Female Employee’s Bag by Co-worker
-
TCI News1 week agoPolice Swarm Five Cays, newest murder victim is 37 year-old man