Immigration & Passport Ordinance To Be Amended
Some crucial amendments will be made to the Immigration and Passport Act during a proposed early November sitting of the Legislative Council, when it will be read a second and third time and its provisions explained.
The changes will affect those persons who were born outside the territory to British Virgin Islander parents. "As long as their father or mother is a British Virgin Islander, they can claim to be Belongers of the British Virgin Islands," explained Chief Minister the Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal.
The amendment was recommended by the 1993 Constitutional Commission and this legislation will bring that into effect. Another change will see the removal of automatic Belongership to a woman who marries a British Virgin Islander. "That has not been in the best interest of the territory and our intention is to remedy that." The new law would provide for the institution of a waiting period. The Immigration and Passport Amendment Act, along with two others moved by the Chief Minister - The Delegation of Authorities Financial Services Legislation Act and The Public Holidays Amendment Act - were introduced and had their first reading at the October 17th LegCo sitting. The Public Holidays Bill will make the Monday nearest to the birth date of the first Chief Minister, Hon. H. L. Stoutt a public holiday. To be removed from the existing list of public holidays is the birthday of the Heir to the Throne. "We hope that that will be passed and come into operation before the 14th of November," Mr. O'Neal said.