MINISTRY OF IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP, LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT

GRAND TURK                                                                                                                     TEL: 649-338-2921

TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS                                                                                            FAX: 649-946-2924

WEST INDIESEL: 649-338 2921                                                                     EMAIL: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PRESS RELEASE

Landing of Illegal Dominican Vessel on Grand Turk

Seventeen (17) Dominican Nationals are being processed for repatriation to their homeland after landing on Grand Turk during the later hours of Wednesday June 17, 2020.

Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the Department of Immigration responded to a 911 Report received that a number of persons were seen in the southern area of Grand Turk. As a result, it was confirmed that seventeen person including two (2) females had arrived on the Islands via a small vessel landed near the Hawks Nest area.

The apprehended persons were assessed by a team from the Ministry of Health that included medical practitioners. Upon being examined they were transported to a holding place.

Deputy Governor Hon. Anya Williams, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry responsible for immigration, Director of Immigration, Senior Immigration and Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police were present and provided support to the effort.

The Dominican Nationals have been transported to Providenciales for holding at the Detention Centre for further processing and repatriation.

Preliminary reports from the local representative of the Government of the Dominican Republic suggest that these persons have been missing for over a week and that the named Government was currently conducting an air and sea search and rescue mission. In relation to the voyage, these persons allegedly were travelling to another country.

The Hon Vaden Williams, Minister of Immigration, Citizenship, Labour and Employment Services, states that although this landing is not common to the Islands, he join with others in thanking his Ministry especially the Immigration Department for their immediate response and continued hard work. He also stated that the Department of Immigration remain in contact with officials of the Dominican Republic on having these persons removed from the Islands in a timely manner.

The Ministry of Immigration, Citizenship, Labour and Employment Services and wishes to thank and remind the public to remain alert and report any unusual or suspicious movements of groups of persons, particularly at night and continue to appeal to persons with information concerning planned and landed arrival of illegal persons to contact the Police anonymously on 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477 TIPS.

The public is also reminded that it is an offence to harbour or assist illegal persons and that persons found guilty engaging in such activities are liable to a fine of US$20,000 or a term of imprisonment of four years, or both in accordance with Section 105 and 106 of the `Immigration Ordinance 2018 Revised or any law.

The public is also requested to provide the Police with tips or any information related to this or any other illegal landing. We encourage the public to submit information or tips anonymously in English, French or Spanish on either to www.crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Crime Stoppers tips are received in the USA.

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