TCI News

TCI: Hon. Vaden Williams – Contribution to Debate on Status of Children Bill

Published

7 years ago

January 29, 2019

Deandrea Hamilton

#Grand Turk, January 29, 2019 – Turks and Caicos –

Good morning Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Status of Children Bill 2018 is among one of several outstanding Family Law Bills that had required further stakeholders consultation.

Over the last several months the Ministry of Home Affairs, along with the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Social Development Department and other stakeholders including the judiciary conducted meetings to review this Bill.

We are here today to present the final product of their hard work, with respect to this particular bill, and Mr. Speaker I want to pause to thank them for their efforts on the collection of family law bills on a whole.

Mr. Speaker, some persons may be asking why are we introducing this bill and what is its purpose of this Status of children Bill

In a nutshell Mr. Speaker we are introducing this bill because it is important for the Turks and Caicos Islands to ensure that all laws relating to children is up-to date and meets the standard of international best practices and conventions.

In addition to this Mr. Speaker, My Government is a Government that is working to protect all of the rights of all of our children.

Hence, the purpose of this bill Mr. Speaker, is to provide equal status to all of children in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

When we use the word status here Mr. Speaker, we are not speaking about immigration status of children. We are talking about how they are treated under the law regardless of whether they are born inside a marriage, or, whether they were born to two un-married parents.

As such, Mr. Speaker, the Bill proposes to repeal the `Legitimation Ordinance and the Illegitimacy Ordinance which overlap with what this bill is trying to achieve. It will also save certain sections as well as modify some parts of the provisions that are saved, to ensure that they match with the policy positions taken by our Government.

Mr. Speaker, I will highlight the issues this bill seeks to address, in five parts in accordance with the five parts of this bill.

PART 1 – Preliminary

Mr. Speaker, Part 1 of the bill simply

Sets out the meaning or definition of key terms
states who this bill applies to, and
protects any related right a child would have had before this bill.

PART 2 – Status of Children

Mr. Speaker, part 2 is seeking to do several things.

It is seeking to remove labels such as il-legitimate, legitimate, lawful or unlawful that have been pegged on to some children in our society for many generations. Our policy is that there will not be any distinction between children based on the marital status of their parent. Many children have been treated unkindly because of this, and Mr. Speaker I am happy that this caring Government is taking this important step to put the law on their side.

Another thing that this part provides for, Mr. Speaker, is a list of several types of relationships, which shall be used in law, to determine the natural father of a child unless there is some other proof to confirm that he is not a child’s father. I will not go through the full list now, Mr. Speaker, but I do look forward to the contributions from Members of this Honorable House during the debate, and more importantly, during the Committee of the Whole.

Before I move on to the next part Mr. Speaker, it is important to highlight that this section also propose that we have provisions in our laws, for the very first time, presumptions of parentage based on artificial conception procedure.

Finally, it provides for certain conditions under which the Registrar shall file an instrument in the Registry of Births, when a father acknowledges paternity.

PART 3 – PARENTAGE

This part 3 Mr. Speaker, is making provisions for instances when a person can apply to the court to declare parentage.

It further provides for the court to require a parent test procedure it outlines matters that should be taken into account before a court order is made, and it lists the information that the results from the testing procedure should contain.

Last but not least, Mr. Speaker, it requires the Minister to approve a laboratory for carrying out parent testing procedure and enable the Minister to nominate a reporter for the approved laboratory or lab. This is important Mr. Speaker to ensure that standards are upheld and that personal information is kept strictly confidential.

PART 4 – DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY

Mr. Speaker, if there is one only area that cause strife within a family, is the manner in which property is given to other family members either through gifts or inheritance.

Clause 16 to 19 of this Part 4, Mr. Speaker, totally abolishes the distinction between children born within a marriage and outside a marriage and places them on equal footing for inheriting property, when a parent dies without a will.

We also know that there are cases where parents sometimes make paternity claim after the passing a presumed father. This bill now enables the administrator of a will to make reasonable inquiries regarding the existence of any other person who could claim an interest in the estate of the decease.

It also relieves the administrator of the responsibility to seek more information that he honestly and reasonably thinks is necessary and protects him from action being taken against him if had no knowledge or notice of a potential relationship between a person and the deceased.

It should be noted that Part 4 of this bill Mr. Speaker starts off by ensuring that the earlier provisions regarding wills and gifts that were completed or became effective before this bill, shall continue to be as is, and will not be affected by this bill.

PART 5 – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Part 5 is the final part of this bill, Mr. Speaker, and it contains provisions relating to hearings, penalties for failure to adhere to parentage testing or seeking to tamper with tests, existing rights, regulations and repeal.

Mr. Speaker, in keeping with the rights of the child, this Government, my Government, is committed to protecting the rights of every child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment and maltreatment or exploitation.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the support of all members of this Honorable House on the Status of Children Bill that is being proposed here today and I now invite them, through you Mr. Speaker, to make their contributions to this very important pieces of legislation

Thank you Mr. Speaker

TCI News

VisitTCI and Potcake Place Highlight Growing Homeless Dog Crisis

Published

2 days ago

October 10, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands could soon be facing a major tourism problem: thousands more stray dogs.

It’s a likely consequence of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ban on US puppy imports, says Potcake Place K9 Rescue founder and director Jane ParkerRauw in a new video produced by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands.

The collaboration between the country’s leading tourism website and the charity dog rescue—which works to reduce the local population of homeless dogs—sheds light on how the CDC ruling has disrupted the charity’s operations and is contributing to an alarming rise in the country’s homeless dogs.

“It’s going to take years of getting back from [the progress we’ve lost] over the last 14 months,” said Parker-Rauw in an interview with VisitTCI. “I can’t stress how in such a short period of time, this is going to have such an impact on tourism here.”

On Aug. 1, 2024, the CDC’s ban on importing dogs less than six months old into the US took effect. The ban aims to prevent the introduction of DMRVV (dog-maintained rabies virus variant) into the US.

Since then, Potcake Place has been unable to find homes for hundreds of puppies. For the first time in the rescue’s 25-year history, they have had to turn away dogs.

“If we allow stray dogs to overrun the islands, it will inevitably affect the experience of our visitors and the tourism industry as a whole,” says Daniel J. LeVin, executive editor of VisitTCI. “Visit Turks and Caicos Islands works hard to promote the Turks and Caicos as one of the world’s premier travel destinations, and that means supporting efforts that protect the environment, community, and visitor experience.”

Many residents of Providenciales remember a time when wild dogs were shot to keep packs in check, or more recently, the fatal attack of a North Caicos woman in 2012 by feral dogs.

Large stray populations pose health and safety risks, deter tourists, and strain public resources. Many puppies the Potcake Place has had to turn away since the ban began have likely already had puppies themselves, says Parker-Rauw.

The impact of controlling a potentially explosive population of homeless dogs could have serious negative effects on the Turks and Caicos tourism industry, as seen in countries like Turkey.

“Two dogs in six years, if none of their offspring die, will produce 62,000 dogs,” says Parker-Rauw. “This is a major problem.”

The United States accounts for over 80% of visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the vast majority of Potcake Place’s adoptions.

Since the ban came into effect, US adoptions have dropped from roughly 500 per year to just five per month, says Parker-Rauw. Getting older puppies to the US is challenging, as they’re too large for airline cabins and not permitted in the hold of planes traveling between Turks and Caicos and the US.

Potcake Place has been advocating for a revision of the ban to allow puppies from lowrisk rabies or rabies-free countries into the US. Turks and Caicos is a DMRVV-free country, and all puppies adopted through Potcake Place are fully vaccinated before travel.

This collaboration is one of several that Visit Turks and Caicos Islands has spearheaded this year to promote sustainable tourism. Both the video and an expanded article can be found at www.visittci.com/news .

TCI News

Turks and Caicos Islands Reaffirms Status as Premier Beach and Romance Destination at World Travel Awards

Published

6 days ago

October 6, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – (October 6th, 2025) – The Turks and Caicos Islands has once again reaffirmed its status as the Caribbean’s premier beach and romance destination at the annual World Travel Awards.

At the ceremony held in Saint Lucia on October 4th, the destination was named the region’s Leading Beach Destination and Most Romantic Destination. Turks and Caicos has captured the Leading Beach Destination title every year since 2015 and the Most Romantic Destination award for seven consecutive years.

“It is no secret that the Turks and Caicos Islands is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and we are honoured that voters continue to recognise this. Our pristine waters and secluded settings also make the destination one of the world’s most romantic getaways, especially for couples seeking luxury and intimacy. On behalf of Experience Turks and Caicos, I extend sincere thanks to the World Travel Awards and to everyone who voted in support of our islands,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos.

Experience Turks and Caicos would like to extend congratulations to our hotel partners and stakeholders who also won regional recognition at the World Travel Awards.

Beaches – Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2025

The Palms – Caribbean’s Leading All-Suite Hotel 2025

Ambergris Cay Private Island Resort – Caribbean’s Leading Private Island Resort 2025

InterCaribbean – Caribbean’s Leading Cabin Crew 2025

Turks and Caicos Islands Awards

Windsong Resort – Turks and Caicos Leading Boutique Hotel 2025

The Palms – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel 2025

Grace Bay Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Luxury Resort 2025

The Shore Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Resort 2025

Four-bedroom Oceanfront Penthouse @Windsong Resort – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel Suite 2025

Avis – Turks and Caicos Leading Car Rental Company 2025

Caicos Dream Tours – Turks and Caicos Leading Tour Operator 2025

Olympia Destination Management Company – Turks and Caicos Leading Destination Management Company 2025

The Turks and Caicos Islands now has an opportunity to win ultimate recognition in global travel and tourism with three global nominations in the World Travel Awards for the following:

World’s Leading Beach Destination
World’s Leading Island Destination
World’s Most Romantic Destination

The “World’s Leading” categories are the highest in the World Travel Awards programme. Voting runs from October 6^th -26th October 2025. Votes can be cast by travel professionals, media and tourism consumers, with the nominee gaining the most votes announced as the 2025 World Travel Awards winner.

TCI News

103 Migrants Intercepted by U.S. Coast Guard and TCI Agencies

Published

3 weeks ago

September 21, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, September 21, 2025 – On Sunday, September 21st, 2025, the United States Coast Guard Southeast (USCG), working in coordination with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) Marine Branch, the TCI Regiment, and the TCI Border Force, intercepted a vessel carrying 103 migrants bound for Providenciales.

The suspicious vessel, first tracked by the USCG, was stopped at sea and later secured by the Sea Guardian vessel, which towed it safely to South Dock Marina. Upon arrival, the migrants were disembarked and handed over to the TCI Border Force for processing.

A breakdown of those on board confirmed:

75 males (including two minors)
28 females (including two minors)

This interception marks the 18th such operation in 2025, bringing the total number of migrants detained this year to 1,510. The RT&CIPF thanks the USCG and local agencies for their close cooperation, noting that this successful outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of layered security measures protecting the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Force reminds the public that illegal migration is dangerous and life-threatening, and violations of the law will not be tolerated.

Anyone with information on illegal migration is urged to contact the nearest police station, call 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or via the P3 app.

Photos Courtesy: Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force