CAYMAN CHARTS NEW COURSE ON IMMIGRATION

By Staff Writer

Over two days of intense debate, Cayman’s parliamentarians laboriously scrutinised sweeping and consequential changes to the immigration laws. What emerged was an overwhelming cross-party majority vote in-favour by all 15 members present of the 19 elected Members of Parliament(MPs). Four were absent.

The amendments to the Immigration (Transition) (Amendment and Validation) Bill 2025, with their far-reaching implications, aim to correct what MPs regard as longstanding imbalances in the job market that have placed Caymanians at a disadvantage in their homeland.

The new law, to be renamed the Caymanian Protection Act, reverts in name and intent to previous legislation of 1971 which was repealed in 2003.

In this special feature, Caymanian Times presents a snapshot of comments made by MPs during the debate of this historic legislation.

NOTE: (...) denotes separate sections of a speech.

The bill was tabled and piloted through Parliament by Hon. Min. for Caymanian Employment and Immigration - Michael S. Myles of the National Coalition For Caymanians(NCFC) government.

“By modernizing our immigration and labour systems, reforming our pensions legislation and strengthening their enforcement against abuses, we’re laying the foundation for a more equitable, efficient and sustainable future for all Caymanians. These reforms are more than about policy. They are about ensuring that people have real opportunities to thrive.”

Hon. Leader of the Opposition and People’s Progressive Party (PPM/Progressives) - Joey Hew

“The official opposition has no objections to reforming immigration.” (...) “The government has presented this bill as an exercise in modernization and efficiency. The opposition sees something very different: a bill that expands executive power without adequate safeguards, introduces legal ambiguity and bypasses proper public consultation and elevates wealth above longstanding national contribution.”

Hon. Independent MP - Dwayne Seymour

“Our forefathers must be turning over in their graves to know the great relationships we have forged with many visitors, transient workers…How things have changed, where it appears like it’s them against us, and the appearance that a professional, transient worker can come here, retire in a short period, and our own Caymanian professionals have to work like a dog until they’re dragging.”

Hon. Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism - Gary Rutty

“The impetus for reform is clear. Our labour market in particular needs to be rebalanced and refocused so that Caymanians are not featured somewhere as part of the workforce, but are prioritized within it.“

Hon. MP and Parliamentary Secretary - Julie Hunter

“Reforming immigration is difficult because we are caught between two powerful forces. On one side, employers need foreign workers to keep businesses running. On the other side, Caymanians want job security and cultural preservation. And let’s be honest, the balance has tilted. Expatriates now outnumber Caymanians, with 54% making up our population as of 2024…There’s frustration about transparency in how status and residency are granted.”

Hon. Acting Deputy Governor - Eric Bush

“The Civil Service is honoured to have played a constructive role in shaping this reform. We have worked tirelessly alongside ministers offering expertise, analysis and practical guidance to ensure the legislation is fair and balanced, safeguarding business continuity and minimizing disruption within the civil service, all while fulfilling the mandate set out by the government.”

Hon.  Min. for Social Development, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage - Isaac Rankine,

“Caymanians have voiced concerns that the current immigration system, as it has evolved over the last two decades, has sometimes left them feeling again, displaced or overlooked, and that the influx of foreign workers, while important, our economy, has at times, created real competition for jobs, housing and essential resources, and this has threatened the very fabric of Caymanian society.”

Hon. Min. for District Administration and Home Affairs - Nickolas DaCosta

“Every generation of Caymanians before us has faced its defining test, a moment where they had to choose whether they would stand still or stand up…And this is that moment for us.”

Hon. MP and Parliamentary Secretary, Heather Bodden

“No Caymanian seeking honest work should feel invisible in their own country...The moral imperative of this reform is simple. Caymanians must come first.”

Hon. Min. for Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure - Johany ‘Jay’ Ebanks

“The train has already started to leave and the Caymanians have been left behind. Now it’s time that we’re going to pull the brake. We’re not slowing the train. No, we need to pull the brake and stop it and allow them to get back on and allow us to carry us all forward.”

Hon. Min. for Health, Environment and Sustainability - Katherine A. Ebanks-Wilks

“Being pro-Caymanian does not mean we are anti-expat. It is about fairness. It’s about sustainability…It’s about ensuring that our people have a fighting chance in their own country.”

Hon. Independent MP - Chris Saunders

“This is people’s dignity we’re talking about. And there is nothing worse than when you’re in your own country and you can’t feel as if you can participate when you see everyone else around you doing well.”

Hon. Deputy Opposition Leader - Kenneth Bryan

“Fundamentally, the bill is right, and it’s time to start making a stand. But it’s also right to understand the economy and society that we built out of nothing…The wrong tune being delivered in our service-based economy can ruin all of it...Why is it that every member had to specify they’re not against expats? Counteract it. Be inspirational. Inspire them to buy into the Caymanian dream together.”

Hon. Min. for Finance and Economic Development, Education and Training - Rolston Anglin

“I believe that this bill does a whole lot more to improve the lot and prospects of Caymanians than the current position. I believe this bill is a huge upgrade. There is never going to be a perfect piece of legislation.”

Hon. Premier and Min. for Financial Services and Commerce- Andre Ebanks

“A number of these people needed to hear straight talk…I’ve been in the hallway consoling a Caymanian crying because somebody told them, ‘To make it, you’ve got to shape up your accent. ’ And their response was, ‘I’m Caymanian. I don’t have an accent, you do.’ And that person was sidelined. So, some of these folks needed to hear some direct, straight talk of how our people have felt for years in order to get this thing right.”

The new law also tightens up residence and citizenship requirements, including by marriage and civil partnership. Other changes include applying term limits to non-nationals employed in the civil service and imposing severe restrictions on job–switching by work permit holders.