A political commentator has voiced concern about the territory’s immigration policies and warned that without firm policy decisions, citizens risk being sidelined in their own homeland.
Speaking during her Morning Facts talk show, Cindy Rosan said discussions about labour shortages, residency delays and business needs often miss the real issue.
‘How do we control the future of the Virgin Islands for Virgin Islanders? That’s the crux of it,’ she said.
The outspoken commentator criticised the absence of firm immigration control mechanisms, particularly a rollover policy which limits the number of continuous years an expat can work in a country before being required to leave. This prevents individuals from automatically qualifying for residency or citizenship based solely on time spent in the workforce.
She referenced the Cayman Islands’ seven-year rollover policy as a model, noting that it was introduced despite intense opposition from major industries.
‘They had serious pushback from financial services, hospitality and private businesses – and they put their foot down,’ Rosan said.
‘When you make seven years in the Cayman Islands, you’re gone.’ She added that Cayman implemented the policy retroactively and remains economically strong. ‘They were thinking about where the Caymanian would be in 20 years, 30 years,’ she said.
Rosan went on to accuse BVI lawmakers of lacking the political will to prioritise locals. ‘These guys that we elect, we put them in the House, and the last thing on their mind is what’s best for Virgin Islanders,’ she said, suggesting some politicians are more focused on re-election and campaign financing than long-term planning.
She also raised an alarm about what she views as unchecked population growth tied to work permit holders.
Rosan argued that without clear limits, people quietly accumulate time in the territory until they qualify for residency and, eventually, citizenship. She also referenced Filipinos and other expat groups who constantly get pregnant and have children in the BVI simply because there are no laws against it.
With elections on the horizon, Rosan urged voters to demand concrete answers from those seeking office. ‘You’ve got to ask them what the plans are to curb what’s going on,’ she said, warning that without decisive action, the territory risks losing control of its future.