To politicise ‘Fast Track’ immigration matter was very distasteful - Hon Wheatley
Legislators of the National Democratic Party and Progressive Virgin Islands Movement in particular used the matter to villify the VIP administration, while trying to score political points ahead of the general elections just days away.
“It makes people feel that somehow something sinister went on… and then my colleague was talking about too fast, well I don’t know any right pace for anything,” he added.
On the advice of Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, in consultation with Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Whealtey (R7), the 4th House of Assembly (HOA) was on, April 17, 2023, recalled by Governor Rankin to validate the status of 688 persons who were granted simultaneous Belongership and Residency Certificates under the Government’s "Fast Track’ process when they did not qualify for both.
“I agree with the Governor to some extent, let's put it to rest… let all of those persons who got status know, you’re ok. No one can come and question it,” he added.
“It’s not about VIP, it's about people’s lives and families, persons who are trying to make this place their home.. finally felt like that they are part of a community,” he added.
The 4th House of Assembly (HOA) was today
recalled by Governor John J. Rankin to regularise the status of 688
persons who were granted simultaneous Belongership and Residency
Certificated under the Government’s ‘Fast Track’ process when they did
not qualify for both.
Matter should have been discreet - Hon Wheatley
He added that for the persons making the community of those who were regularised feel like something went wrong, it was not the right way to go about the matter as it was not the fault of those regularised under the fast-track issue.
“I agree with the member of the Third [District], when he said this should have been settled in a more discreet matter, don’t have to be no public debacle,” he said.
Hon Wheatley said while it was historic that the house was recalled, it may not be the last.
He added that noting was illegal about the Fast-Track process, rather just an oversight that caused legislators to have to be back in the House after it dissolved.
