Beautiful Virgin Islands

Saturday, Sep 14, 2024

Deal with Belonger backlog, Governor urges

Deal with Belonger backlog, Governor urges

The backlog of applications for residency and Belongership that has existed for nearly a year now must be addressed, Governor John Rankin has expressed.
While acknowledging that the issue of immigration is a sensitive one that is devolved to the local government, Rankin expressed concerns surrounding the matter of the delay in issuing Belongership status to hundreds of applicants.

The governor argued that one of the first considerations in approaching the issue is that the law needs to be applied regarding Belongership applications.

“I know that the Belonger status is a difficult issue, a sensitive issue, which needs to be handled, taking account of all the different factors, but let’s apply the law as it stands at the moment, and let’s deal with that backlog please,” the governor urged.

While the law requires 10 years of residence in the territory before an application can be made, a government policy has for years held that persons must live in the territory beyond 20 years before their application for Belongership can be considered.

“The law was not being applied,” Governor Rankin said.

In the meantime, Governor Rankin said he is looking forward to the review carried out by Kendrick Malone into the issue of the granting of Belongership status, pursuant to the Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations, noting that Malone is a highly experienced individual.

The governor pointed out in his last quarterly review of the implementation of COI recommendations that he had made it clear that very little, if anything, appeared to have been done regarding those applications.

“I’m determined, working together with the premier, within whose ministry it falls, to deal with that backlog,” Rankin said, “and get those who are entitled to their status. If they’re entitled to it, they shouldn’t be denied it.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Royal Navy's First 'Narco-Sub' Drug Seizure in the Caribbean
Northern Lights Illuminate Skies Over the UK
Citizens' Jury Supports Change in Assisted Dying Law
Russia Can End the War Now, Says PM as Putin Warns West
SpaceX Polaris Dawn Crew Makes History With First Private Spacewalk
Jon Bon Jovi Heroically Rescues Woman on Nashville Bridge
Fragmented EU Defence Industry Needs Urgent Coordination
Keir Starmer Accused of Concealing Impact of Winter Fuel Payment Cuts on Pensioners
Keir Starmer Urged to Publish Winter Fuel Payments Impact Assessment
Ex-CIA Officer Sentenced to 10 Years for Espionage
UK Economy Stalls for Second Consecutive Month
Downing Street to Begin Search for New Cabinet Secretary
UK Government Introduces Bill to Ban Rental Bidding Wars
Scottish Opposition Questions Cuts to Free School Meals and Rail Fares
NHS Delays in England Cause Thousands of Unnecessary Deaths, Inquiry Reveals
NHS Restricts Obesity Services across England, Investigates BMJ
Bill Gates Warns of Imminent Threats: War and Pandemics
Over One Million UK Carers Living in Poverty
Equitable Future Threatened by Climate Crisis and Consumerism
Calls for Inclusive and Diverse Stories in UK English Curriculum
UK Government Confirms £500m Subsidy for Tata Steel
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Warns of Tough Budget Ahead
Unions Fear Labour's Net Zero Plans Will Cost Jobs
PM to Address Critical NHS Report Demanding Reforms
Kamala Harris Wins Post-Debate Survey Against Donald Trump
Impact and Aftermath of 9/11 Attacks on the US and the World
Iran Denies Missile Deliveries to Russia Amid New Sanctions
Kamala Harris Claims to Own Guns, Denies Supporting Mandatory Buyback—Yet Said the Opposite Weeks Ago
Outrage in Uxbridge: 12 Police Officers Arrest Woman Over a Sandwich, Then Arrest Bystander for Swearing
Polaris Dawn: Historic Private Spacewalk Initiated
Sir Paul Marshall Acquires The Spectator for £100 Million
Neighbours Criticise Germany Over Extended Border Controls
Mazan Village in Shock Over Mass Rape Trial
Harris Commands Debate Against Trump
Wealthy Nations Criticized for Hypocrisy on Climate Protests
Controversial Netanyahu Documentary Premieres in Toronto
Labour's Winter Fuel Cut Passes Amid Controversy
Germany's New Border Controls: A Threat to EU Unity?
Global Religious Groups Spend Billions to Undermine Gender-Equality Education
Dave Grohl Announces Birth of Baby Girl
Brigitte Macron to Make Cameo in Netflix's Emily in Paris
Olympic Medals Stolen from Australian Rower's Car in Melbourne
Russia Receives Iranian Ballistic Missiles for Use in Ukraine
US and Europe Consider Easing Restrictions on Ukraine's Long-Range Strikes
Brazilian President Visits Amazon Amid Severe Drought and Wildfires
Concerns Raised Over Early Release of Prisoners
Labour Special Advisers Join Union Over Pay Concerns
NHS Trust Admits Contaminated Feed Caused Baby's Death After Decade of Denial
Dubai Conference Cancels Talk by Ex-Children’s Hospital Doctor Under Investigation
Manchester Adopts 'Housing First' to Combat Rough Sleeping
×