Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

Expat mother reunited with 6-month old baby in BVI. Minister says policy review is being considered

Expat mother reunited with 6-month old baby in BVI. Minister says policy review is being considered

The expatriate woman who upon exiting the BVI recently was forced to leave her 6-month old baby behind, has since been reunited with the child.

The woman’s departure was prompted by the Immigration department’s policy that mandates that expatriates to leave the territory when transitioning between work permits.

However, in light of the circumstances, considerate officials at the Immigration department were able to facilitate a quick re-entry process that saw the woman reuniting with her baby.

The recent incident was brought to light by host of “Honestly Speaking” Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline who openly called on indigenous Virgin Islanders to treat the expatriate community better.


“Here’s this woman she is leaving the country, she has a six-month-old baby, gets to the airport and then they tell her the baby can’t leave, but she has to go. I mean, can you imagine that? A six-month-old baby! “You mean to tell me there is no discretion? There is no occasion for us to extend some kindness, some courtesy, and assist people? The woman then had to leave the baby, go out the country and then having a heck of a time getting back in because things aren’t being done.”

“This whole matter of having persons leaving the country needs to be suspended. That is a policy it is not the law; it’s a policy, and I’m calling on Minister Hon. Wheatley and the head of Immigration … some direction needs to be given. We as indigenous Virgin Islanders, those of us who are deemed to belong, I want to warn us, I want to caution us about the way we are treating people amongst us, the clergyman added.

POLICY REVIEW BEING CONSIDERED SAYS IMMIGRATION MINISTER


In an invited comment by our newsroom, Skelton Cline reiterated the need for reform.

“The policy should be at the very least, placed on hold, given the current context and challenges that people are having financially and with mobility due to some countries being closed or under tight visiting protocols due to this pandemic.”

Skelton Cline also stated that the Chief Immigration Officer has discretionary power which should be applied to cases like these.

Since the airing of this story which attracted much public contention, our newsroom, in speaking to the Minister of Immigration, Labor and Natural Resources, Honorable Vincent Wheatley, was able to confirm that review of the current policy to have expats exit between permits is under review.

Hon. Vincent Wheatley

“We are considering changing this policy and have been for some time now. This policy cannot be dealt with in isolation, it was put in place for particular reasons.”

When questioned on the recent incident, the Minister revealed that he was not aware of the issue.

SAME SCRIPT DIFFERENT CAST- PREMIER FAHIE REFLECTS ON A SIMILAR INCIDENT WHERE THE LATE OMAR HODGE FOUGHT FOR FAIRNESS


Just recently at the opening ceremony for the Omar Wallace Hodge Fisherman’s Wharf and Park, Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honorable Andrew A. Fahie recounted a story that spoke to the character and compassion of the late Omar Hodge, a story that much resembles the recent incident.

Premier Andrew A. Fahie


“I remember one time with Honorable Hodge… He came and said drive with me. Next thing I know we were at the airport. There was a lady being deported. She was here for 21 years and she got a baby but she didn’t have her paper work, in terms of being fully regularized. But the baby was born here and they (immigration) decided that they were going to deport her still but the baby can’t go.

Omar went and he didn’t argue with them. He took up the baby, told me to hold the cradle and say let’s go. I said where we going, he said just keep driving. We reached by the Administration complex and he said take out the child and let’s go. We went up to the then Chief Minister’s office. When we reach to the office he said tell the Chief Minister, which was R.T. O’Neal, Omar Wallace Hodge is here to see him. We waited a while, and he didn’t come out, he sent his secretary to find out what it is since he’s busy. Omar said to tell him he wants the lady not to be deported. Reverse it!

Ralph send out to tell him, there’s nothing we could do. Omar said no problem. He said put the child down on the secretary desk. He turned and told the secretary, tell the Chief Minister don’t worry. Since his mother is going and she wasn’t properly dealt with, he (Chief Minister) and his wife could raise the child until the mother gets back.

I was there in amazement and he yell out and tell me boy let’s go. And we left the child there. But when we got to the elevator I remember the secretary running coming. And she said come, come, the chief minister said he called the airport. The lady aint going again and come for this child, the child needs changing too.

We took up the child and was able to carry the child to the mother”

The BVI is home to over 100 nationalities, with expatriates making up the majority of the population.

As the push for immigration reform continues, many are of the opinion that policies such as this, that requires a resident to leave the territory while a new permit is being processed, should be reformed in a manner that is more amicable for all residents in the territory.

NB: Stock picture used of mother and child to protect identity

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
×