A temporary halt on the issuance of new work permits has been proposed amid concerns that the Virgin Islands lacks the data needed to effectively manage its growing population.
Speaking on his radio programme on July 1, political commentator Claude Skelton Cline argued that the government should suspend new work permits until it has a clearer picture of who is living in the Territory and whether immigration laws are being enforced.
“If I was in charge, I would move to put a complete pause on all new work permits, and somebody would have to give me a good cause case as to why not,” he said.
Skelton Cline said completing the national census should be an immediate priority, along with obtaining accurate information from the Immigration Department on the status of individuals residing in the Territory.
“I need the census to be completed. I need to know who is here. I need from Immigration the status of individuals who are here, their current status,” he said.
He also called for stronger enforcement of immigration laws, questioning whether the agencies responsible are effectively carrying out their duties.
The commentator argued that major government decisions are being made without reliable population data.
“We don't know who's here, we don't know how many people are here. We don't have the accurate data, we don't have complete information, and yet we're making decisions,” he said.
According to Skelton Cline, those decisions affect everything from classrooms and public infrastructure to the Territory's overall planning.
He maintained that a pause on new work permits would allow the government to gather the information needed to make informed policy decisions.
“We're being overrun in this country,” Skelton Cline said. “We're not managing. The country lacks the care, the attention that it needs.”
Speaking on his radio programme on July 1, political commentator Claude Skelton Cline argued that the government should suspend new work permits until it has a clearer picture of who is living in the Territory and whether immigration laws are being enforced.
“If I was in charge, I would move to put a complete pause on all new work permits, and somebody would have to give me a good cause case as to why not,” he said.
Skelton Cline said completing the national census should be an immediate priority, along with obtaining accurate information from the Immigration Department on the status of individuals residing in the Territory.
“I need the census to be completed. I need to know who is here. I need from Immigration the status of individuals who are here, their current status,” he said.
He also called for stronger enforcement of immigration laws, questioning whether the agencies responsible are effectively carrying out their duties.
The commentator argued that major government decisions are being made without reliable population data.
“We don't know who's here, we don't know how many people are here. We don't have the accurate data, we don't have complete information, and yet we're making decisions,” he said.
According to Skelton Cline, those decisions affect everything from classrooms and public infrastructure to the Territory's overall planning.
He maintained that a pause on new work permits would allow the government to gather the information needed to make informed policy decisions.
“We're being overrun in this country,” Skelton Cline said. “We're not managing. The country lacks the care, the attention that it needs.”
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How many people at Petrus plaza are on work permits, may I ask?