Today PDM Leader wrote to the Minister of Border Control and the Premier in an attempt to have them reconsider the introduction of the Immigration and Turks and Caicos Islander Status Bill start date of April 1st. We have based this on what we can only term as a serious growing uneasiness because of the air of uncertainty on the final Bills and Regulations and also on the fact that we believe that the planned and budgeted public education should come before the introduction and not after the introduction of the Bills. This point was made during the Committee Stage of the Budget when the Hon Leader inquired about the wisdom of public education after the introduction.
The PDM has over the past three years called for Immigration Reform and it is much needed but we have not failed on stating clearly our basic position: the need for the Government to consult with the people of this country and also the wisdom in using the census figures to develop a population policy and then allow this to inform the Law and Policies.
In 2014, the PDM was able to halt the Bill based on a technical vote stopping it from going to its second reading. The effect of this was that the Bill could only be brought in its same form after the current session was prorogued and a new session started. The PNP Government did bring the Bill again in the new session and attempted to proceed without consultation. After much representation from the PDM consultations led by the Minister took place and was held on each major Island and carried live over RTC. Whilst we encouraged our people (even through social media) to attend official meetings that would record their comments and inform the Government directly, the PDM met with groups and individuals on its details and also used our Radio Show to discuss the Bills clause by clause. We called on the Government publicly to slow down its process and this voice was joined by members of the Clergy and even a sitting executive member of the PNP Government. The Bills were eventually passed and while distracting dialogue sought to focus on how many persons said no, with no real attention paid to the fact that the Bill was passed by a majority of the House and would have whether 8 persons shouted no or not, its passage occurred. The Bill now passed since late last year has been delayed in its introduction.
The PDM has spoken to these Bills on occasions following its passage and within the past few days, interests by Islanders have been heightened. While it is inconceivable that there are persons who are unaware of its content after years of on and off again dialogue, it is indeed possible and is so the case, having had a rushed consultations.
We have today written to the Minister asking him to delay its introduction and to engage the people of this country in the planned and budgeted for public education on the two Immigration Bills.
We encourage the people of this country to get involved and pay keen attention to the many important issues raised and discussed and to use its voice to ensure that we live in a country where people are indeed center to a Government’s decision and development.
We await the Minister and his Government’s response.
