Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - The Immigration Department, in greater efforts to strengthen its relationship with the public is launching an educational campaign starting next week, which includes a series of community outreach initiatives.
According to Acting Chief Immigration Officer Mr. Guy Hill, this interactive campaign is important so that officers and the public understand how they can both work together to improve immigration services in the Territory.
He explained that on Wednesday, June 25, the first initiative to launch the campaign is the Immigration Service Outreach Academy.
“The academy will provide an interactive two-hour programme designed to educate the public about the daily operations of the Immigration Department; it will help persons get a better understanding of the immigration process; and the role of officers and the public in complying with the Immigration and Passport Ordinance.
Mr. Hill further explained that the Immigration Department has a responsibility and likewise, the public has a responsibility in accessing the immigration services of the Government of the Virgin Islands.
“I look forward to this initiative as it is twofold: the public will get a clearer understanding of expectation and work of the department and the department will get an opportunity to understand the expectations of the public,” he said.
Registration for the academy has already begun. For this first session, the department is targeting business, civic or community leaders who reside or work within the Virgin Islands and are 18 years and older.
The programme which will be conducted by senior immigration officers will cover: an introduction to the Immigration and Passport Ordinance; inspections and admittance to the Territory; areas of enforcement and enforcement powers and immigration services offered, among other areas.
The first session on June 25 will be held once a week for two weeks in the Reception Area on the first floor of the Immigration Department located in the RJT Edifice from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Subsequent sessions will be held on July 2 and July 9. Spaces are limited and registration for the first session is ongoing.
Interested persons can telephone the Assistant Chief Immigration Officer, Ms. Suzanne Fonseca at 468-4700 or email SuFonseca@gov.vg.
The Immigration Department Services Outreach Academy is anticipated to be an annual event with sessions also to be held in Virgin Gorda and Tortola.
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British Virgin Islands News