TCI Border Force Issues Warning to General Public and Reminds of Legal Consequences

The Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force is issuing a Strong Warning on Immigration Offences and Reinforces Legal Consequences. 

The public is reminded of the following legal provisions under the TCI Immigration Act; 

1.    Section 12(1) A person shall not engage in any gainful occupation in the Islands unless he is lawfully authorized to do so, including being in possession of a valid work permit or otherwise exempt under law.

2.    Section 12(2) A person shall not employ another person who is prohibited from engaging in gainful occupation under subsection (1).

3.    Section 95(2) Any person who employs an individual not lawfully permitted to work commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to: a fine of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisonment for a term of two years, or both; and, in the case of a continuing offence, an additional fine of one hundred dollars ($100) for each day the offence continues; with the court further empowered, upon repeated offences, to suspend a business license for a period not exceeding six months.

4.    Section 105 A person who assists or facilitates the transportation or entry into the Islands of an individual known, or reasonably suspected, to be an unlawful entrant commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction, to a fine of $20,000 or imprisonment for four years, or both; or on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for up to seven years.  

5.    Section 105 Where such actions place individuals at risk: A person who facilitates unlawful entry in circumstances giving rise to a danger of death or serious harm is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for up to fourteen years. 

   6.  Section 106 A person who knowingly harbors an individual unlawfully present in the Islands commits an offence and is liable: on summary conviction, to a fine of $20,000 or imprisonment for four years, or both; or on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for up to seven years. 

The Border Force remains resolute in its commitment to protecting the integrity of our borders, safeguarding lawful employment, and upholding the rule of law. Any breach of the Immigration Act will be met with decisive enforcement action. 

Anyone with information regarding irregular migration is strongly urged to contact the nearest police station, call 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, through the Crime Stoppers P3 app or via email at tciintel@gov.tc.