It gives me great pleasure this morning to witness and be a part of this Contract signing and Groundbreaking ceremony for the Joint Marine Shore Base Building. We can all agree that this project is another one that is well overdue. 

Chief Immigration Officer, Mr. Ian Penn has said that 19 illegal immigrants are now in the custody of the Department of Immigration following an exercise by the officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and Immigration Department carried out on Virgin Gorda on January 16.

The public and vessel operators are advised that the West End port facility is closed from 6:00 p.m. this evening due to electrical issues. 

In anticipation of increased visitors to our shores this weekend, officials from various Government agencies (Customs, Immigration, Police, Treasury, and the BVI Ports Authority) are in high gear to provide extended services to facilitate their clearance.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is inviting tenders for the Supply of Security Services for Immigration Detainees housed at Hotel Castle Maria, Road Town, Tortola.

Thirty one (31) persons recited the Oath of Allegiance and Pledge of Loyalty last week to complete the process of becoming British Overseas Territories Citizens (BOTC) of the Virgin Islands.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is seeking qualified persons to fill two vacant positions as Board Members on the Board of Immigration.

In enhancing the guest welcome experience, the Immigration Department has launched Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks to expedite entry for returning VI citizens holding British Virgin Islands or United Kingdom passports to the Territory.

Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Mrs. Nadia Demming-Hodge has confirmed that detainee Ms. Ianna Thomas has been recaptured.

Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Mrs. Nadia Demming-Hodge is asking the public to be on the lookout for Guyanese national Ms. Ianna Thomas who escaped from the department’s temporary detention facility at Hotel Castle Maria.