The PDM has today, August 20, 2015 received Notice of a 3 day House of Assembly Meeting scheduled for September 14, 2015. On this Agenda, there are 11 Bills to be debated and voted on for passage. Included are the two Immigration Bills – The Immigration Bill and the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Bill.
The PDM last year voted down the continued passage of the Bill to the 2nd reading due to the Government’s failure to consult on the very new provisions that it was now presenting and in many respects very different from the recommendations of the people contained in 3 separate Reports over the past 11 years. Whilst we believe that there is need to reform immigration and all its related areas, we do not believe that real and meaningful consultation should be sacrificed.
The Government has announced a consultation period from August 14 – September 4, 2015 with a strong online component and the possibility of face to face consultations if requested.
The PDM elected representatives have made representations over the months and have reduced these representations in writing and submitted to the Ministry requesting that public meetings be held on each Island. We await the Ministry’s response.
However we wish to encourage the people of these Islands to call for and attend any stakeholder meetings that they are aware of. Let your voices be heard on this critical issue. Immigration – legal and illegal is at the root of this country’s growth and development and/or stagnation.
We are therefore encouraging all residents to participate and ensure that all members of the House of Assembly are fully aware of your positions by September 14th when these two important Bills are debated and voted on.
