By: Hayley Reid
Premier Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Minister for Border Control and Labour, Hon. Dwayne Seymour, Parliament Secretary Hon. McKeeva Bush, along with representatives from the Ministry and the Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman recently welcomed new and returning appointees of the Immigration Boards at a breakfast meeting held at Grand Old House recently.
The event provided an opportunity for the appointees of the Caymanian Status and Permanent Residency Board, Business Staffing Plan Board and the Immigration Appeals Tribunal to discuss the responsibilities that fall under their remit and share their thoughts on the Islands’ immigration policies.
In his remarks to the group, Minister Seymour stated that immigration boards are central to safeguarding the islands’ economic, social, and cultural fabric while navigating the complexities of global migration. “Your boards are a crucial part of our national security framework; your work forms a safeguard mechanism by stopping individuals who might pose a threat to our community from exploiting our immigration facilities. This function comes with great responsibility, and you have a duty to ensure that your decisions are made within the legal parameters of immigration laws and policies while upholding the integrity of the country’s legal system,” he emphasised.
Minister Seymour also informed the attendees that in the new year, he intends to propose several amendments to the Immigration (Transition) Act and the Immigration Regulations to streamline the application process, improve transparency and enhance compliance.
Chief Officer in the Ministry, Wesley Howell, reminded the board members to always work prudently and efficiently. “Our immigration system is built on a foundation of protecting Caymanians – both job seekers and business owners. We prioritise the safety of these islands by scrutinising foreign workers before they arrive; we aim to facilitate effective and efficient Immigration Boards with the full support of WORC’s administrative, investigative and compliance teams, led by Director Jeremy Scott. By working together, we ensure Caymanian lives are enriched and protected.”
The Cabinet approved the Immigration Boards on 5 December. The boards play a pivotal role in managing the balance between ensuring the local community’s well-being, improving Caymanian employment, reducing under-employment, and facilitating required foreign talent.
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