An amendment has been proposed to the territory’s laws to give the immigration minister discretionary power to allow any person into the jurisdiction
The amendment to section 24 of the Immigration and Passport Act (Cap 130), which would be by the inclusion of a new section 24(a), was approved by Cabinet yesterday at a meeting chaired by Deputy Governor David Archer, Jr.
The new section will enable the immigration minister in his discretion to grant any person permission to land and remain in the British Virgin Islands for such period as the minister may determine, and includes the ability to allow influential persons who had previously been forbidden from entering the territory to land and remain. The powers would also apply in circumstances where religious leaders, entertainers, activists, national heroes, sports personalities, motivational speakers and other persons do not qualify to land and remain in the territory under section 23(1)(g) unless their presence would boost the territory’s tourism product and add to the substance of the British Virgin Islands in the areas of religion, education, sports, culture and tourism.
The amendment will be drafted by the Attorney General following instructions from the Premier’s Office.
