TURKS AND CAICOS STEPS UP IMMIGRATION REFORM

By Staff Writer

The Turks and Caicos Islands has moved into another phase of an ongoing comprehensive review of its immigration system.

In a move similar to Cayman’s own extensive overhaul of its immigration and status procedures, the TCI process is expected to ultimately lead to far-reaching reforms.

A government statement explains the current phase of the review: “The Immigration Bill 2026 is a comprehensive effort to modernise the immigration framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. It will repeal and replace the existing Immigration Act and Regulations. The proposed reforms aim to strengthen border security, enhance transparency, support sustainable economic development, and ensure immigration policies align with the long-term national interest.”

Commenting on the process, Deputy Premier and Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Jamell Robinson of the ruling National Progressive Party(PNP) stated: “Immigration reform is a matter of national importance, and it is essential that the voices of our people and key stakeholders are heard. This public feedback phase allows for thoughtful consideration of the proposed legislation as we work to ensure a fair, modern, and sustainable immigration system that serves the best interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Key elements of the proposed framework include revised residency and long-term settlement pathways, updated work permit and labour market protection measures, and strengthened compliance, enforcement, and regulatory oversight.

Other areas highlighted include a structured points-based assessment system for residence and employment rights certificates. Modernized border management systems were also noted, such as advanced passenger information, electronic travel authorization, biometric authentication, and e-gates.

The TCI has been confronted with a serious illegal immigration challenge spanning several years, with a surge of illegal migrants, especially from Haiti. Some reports have linked illegal immigration to a crime wave in the territory.

TCI Deputy Premier Robinson has affirmed that the upgraded and tightened criteria are intended to better enable the TCI government to eliminate shortcomings and loopholes in the immigration, border control, labour, and citizenship processes supported by effective enforcement and proper oversight. He has cited recurring instances of some persons obtaining citizenship status by exploiting weaknesses in the system.

“We have a situation where we have a lot of people in this country who might be here illegally. We have the sort of persons who come in illegally being able to get their passports ‘legally’...but they came in illegally,” Mr Robinson said.

In a mid-2025 Parliamentary report, he disclosed that, as of that time, TCI immigration and border control had detained and repatriated over 3,412 persons from 27 boats, compared to 2,882 persons from 23 boats in FY 2023/2024.

While full figures for 2025 are not yet known, the scale of the problem continues. Just last December 28th, an illegal migrant vessel carrying seventy-eight (78) persons was seized and the occupants apprehended pending deportation.

The TCI Border Force director, Emilio Seymour, said then: “Let me be clear, illegal migration will not be tolerated in the Turks and Caicos Islands.  Border Force is actively pursuing those who enter our country illegally, and we will continue to locate, detain, and repatriate individuals in accordance with the law. Our presence will be visible, our actions decisive, and our commitment unwavering.”

The British government has stated that whilst immigration is a devolved responsibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government, it continues to support TCI in tackling irregular migration challenges and illicit maritime activity.