NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (February 28, 2013) – Non-nationals living on Nevis who are uncertain of their status have been assured that it would be regularised, once they complied with the law and were peaceful.
In an interview with the Department of Information on February 28, 2013, Premier of Nevis and Minister of Finance in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Hon. Vance Amory addressed the matter. He said since he had taken office in late January, 2013, it had been a very hectic time for him and his government. Among the many outstanding matters he had been dealing with was that of non-nationals who wanted their status on the island regularised.
“One of the matters we have been looking at is the matter of Work Permits, residences and so on. I think we are trying to clear any backlog which has existed so that the people who need to have their status in Nevis regularised, it could be done so that they can feel comfortable staying here and not have the “fear” of Immigration coming for them.
“Some people do have that fear so we are trying to deal with that backlog so that they or persons who have come to live with us, can be comfortable here and not fear that they will be put upon in the dead of night as some have been and some reports have been made in the past,” he said.
The Premier explained that he had given the issue urgent attention because he strongly believed that those from other parts of the Caribbean should be treated with respect.
“We are trying to deal with that because I believe strongly that we are all Caribbean people and that we need to treat our Caribbean brothers and sisters with the respect and welcome them to reside here unless they have broken the law and that is something I maintain very strongly.
If they breach the law then they will have to obey the prescriptions of the law and that is leaving the country but outside of that, I think, once they are living here peacefully, once the conditions under which they have come are legal then I have tried to get them at ease and at home here with us on Nevis,” he said.