Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2025

Gov Rankin assents to Immigration & Passport (Validation) Act

Gov Rankin assents to Immigration & Passport (Validation) Act

Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has assented to the Immigration and Passport (Validation) Act, 2023 and the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act, 2023, allowing the 688 residents, whose Belonger status are now valid, an opportunity to exercise their franchise on Advance Polling Day tomorrow, Thursday, April 20, 2023, and Polling Day on Monday, April 24, 2023.

“Today I assented to the Immigration and Passport (Validation) Act, 2023 and the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act, 2023. This legislation, which was passed by the House of Assembly on Monday, validates the Residency and Belonger status of individuals following the concerns raised in the recent Audit Report and Addendum on the Fast Track Residency and Belonger Status Programme,” Governor Rankin informed via a press statement today, April 19, 2023.

Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) in his support of the move to recall the House of Assembly to validate the status of some 688 persons said, 'Democracy is a sacred trust. We all have a responsibility to protect and uphold democracy.'



‘Relevant Acts are now in force’- Gov Rankin

He said he can therefore confirm that the relevant Acts are now in force ahead of Advance Polling Day tomorrow.

“I look forward to a free and fair election in which all registered voters can participate.”

The House convened on Monday, April 17, 2023, following the findings of the Audit Report and Addendum on the Fast Track Residency and Belongership Programme. Legislators then met to validate the status of 688 persons who were granted simultaneous Belongership and Residency Certificates under the Government’s "Fast Track’ process when they did not qualify for both.

The Immigration and Passport (Validation) Act, 2023, was passed after a heated debate in which legislators in full campaign mode highly politicised the matter in an attempt to vilify the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Administration and to score political points.

There was a division of votes and all eight legislators present voted for the bill.

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) and Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), whose spouses or significant others were mentioned in the audit report of the Residency and Belonger Status Programme, had recused themselves from the debate to avoid all claims of conflict of interest and therefore were absent during the vote.

It is unclear why Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) was absent.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
UK Prime minister, Mr. Keir Starmer, has stated that any peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine "MUST" include a US security guarantee to deter Russian aggression
UK Leader Keir Starmer Calls for US Security Guarantee in Ukraine Peace Deal
Toronto Plane Crash: Delta Flight Ignites in a Fireball at Pearson Airport
NATO Chief Urges Higher Defense Expenditure in Europe
BYD Encounters Spike in Customer Grievances Regarding Smart EV Feature Implementation
Head of Russian Wealth Fund Emphasizes U.S. Dominance as Discussions Commence in Riyadh
DOGE Introduces Revised Treasury Identifier Strategies in Response to Federal Savings Initiatives.
Pope Francis Continues to be Hospitalized While Physicians Treat Complicated Infection
Meta Workers Voice Concerns Over Layoff Procedures Despite Company's Assertions of Performance-Driven Reductions
Iran Considers Moving Capital Due to Urban Difficulties
Elon Musk claims that millions of Americans aged between 100 and 159 are recorded in a vital US database.
Trump's Appearances in the Oval Office Reinterpret Presidential Communication
Starmer Calls for US 'Backstop' for Ukraine Peace Deal After European Leaders' Meeting
Scotland Initiates Early Release of Prisoners to Address Overcrowding
The Princess of Wales and Children Share Artistic Portraits
Policy on Refugee Citizenship Draws Criticism from Unions and Faith Leaders
Fibrus Broadband Service Faces Ongoing Challenges After Storm Éowyn
Caldicot School Enforces Strict Discipline Under New Leadership
Supreme Court Blocks Treasury Intervention in Car Loans Case
Bafta 2025: Conclave and The Brutalist Stand Out at the Awards Ceremony
Almost Two Billion Dollars of taxpayer funds are recovered by the DOGE Task Force after going unaccounted for during the Biden administration.
No, you corrupt European leaders—the Nazi genocide apparatus did NOT come about due to free speech.
U.S. State Department Removes Taiwan Independence Statement from Website
Eliminating opposition will not rescue Germany from Nazism—this is precisely what led Germany to become Nazi!
Transatlantic Gold Rush: Traders Shift Bullion in Response to Tariff Concerns and Market Turmoil
Elon Musk advocates for thorough and regular audits of US gold reserves as new proposals confront long-standing review methods.
Bill Ackman Invests in Uber as the Company Shifts Towards Profitability.
AI Giants Take on Nvidia's Supremacy with New Chip Innovations
US and Russian Officials to Meet in Saudi Arabia Over Ending Ukraine Conflict. Ukraine and European leaders – who profit from this war – excluded from the negotiations.
Macron Convenes Urgent Summit as Business Model Amid Ukraine Conflict Faces Threat
Trump Administration Eases AI Restrictions Amid Scarlett Johansson’s Regulatory Demands
Trump’s Defense Secretary: Ukraine Won’t Join NATO or Regain Lost Territories
European Leaders Hold Urgent Summit on Ukraine in Light of US-Russia Peace Negotiations
Flight Reductions at Ronaldsway Airport Attributed to Demand Changes
JD Vance's Claims on Scottish Abortion Buffer Zones Elicit Controversy
Dogs Audition for Role in Glasgow Comedy Play Amidst Festival Celebrations
Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves Faces Scrutiny Over Expenses and CV Claims
Investigation Launched Following Fatal Shooting Outside Kent Pub
UK Ticket-Holder Wins £65 Million EuroMillions Jackpot on Valentine's Day
UK Military Insufficiently Resourced for Potential Ukraine Peacekeeping Mission, Former Army Chief Warns
Netflix Relocates Bafta Afterparty Following Fire at Chiltern Firehouse
Scottish A&E Waiting Times Reach Record Highs, Urging Call for Systemic Reforms
British Couple Detained in Iran as Family Seeks Safe Return
Zelensky Urges Increased Military Expansion in Europe as US Support Remains Uncertain
AI-Driven Virtual Boyfriends Rise in Popularity in China
Chinese Zoo Confesses to Painting Donkeys to Look Like Zebras
Zelensky Highlights the Importance of European Participation in Peace Negotiations at the Munich Security Conference.
Zelensky Prevents Trump-Backed Minerals Agreement Due to Security Issues
Trump's Legal Issues and Claim of Executive Power
Leaders of BRICS Set to Gather in Rio de Janeiro for July Summit
×