Remarks by Premier Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE.
Immigration Training Workshop

Office of the Premier’s Conference Room
Monday, 21st July, 2008
10:00 a.m.

~~Adz:Left~~Good morning

It is not very often that I get to speak to, as a group, the men and women who day after day work on the front line to protect the borders of these beautiful Virgin Islands.

I therefore welcome this opportunity to speak to you at the start of what I consider to be a most important training workshop for our Immigration Officers. 

Immigration Officers all over the world are forced to respond to the rapid changing environment in which they work and here in the Territory, the challenge is no different. That is why I give my wholehearted support to this week’s training for our Immigration Officers under a most fitting theme Enhancing Border Protection with Quality Service.

I do not believe that the role of Immigration Officers should ever be taken lightly. I recognise that you have a very difficult but still an important role  to play in border control. Unfortunately, we hear more complaints than commendations. Rarely does the public commend you for the role you play in protecting our borders and for putting your lives at risk during surveillance operations.

Ladies and gentlemen, working in the area of law enforcement is never an easy task especially when Immigration Officers are often called upon to strike a balance. In addition to carrying out your duties as immigration officers, you are still expected to perform an ambassadorial role since the Territory is a tourism destination and you are a visitor’s first impression of the BVI.

Furthermore, you are mandated by the Territory’s laws to ensure that only legally accepted persons are allowed to enter our ports. On the other hand, your vocation calls for compassion and consideration even at times when you have to get firm.

Immigration Officers you are also expected to carry out your duties with kindness, without losing your cool or getting into an argument even when an offender challenges your authority because you are upholding the laws.
 
It is in these cases, however, that effective communication and interpersonal skills must be put to good use and form part of your skills set.  It goes without saying that Immigration Officers must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills because you interact with people from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds.

I am very pleased that this training workshop focuses on demonstrating the balance between effective border control and customer service.  I encourage you to remain calm when under pressure, use sound judgment and discretion within the parameters of the law.

I remember the days when Immigration services in the BVI were carried out by the police. In 1969, however, the services were separated and the Department of Immigration was established. Over the years, Immigration services in the Territory have evolved greatly and that is why we must adapt to the rapid changing environment.

Ladies and gentlemen, from then to now, things have certainly changed. Therefore, I am pleased that you will be also exposed to global immigration controls in the 21st century. Technological advances afford the common criminal an opportunity to falsify documents and identities with ease, and you need real and practical tools to help you detect forgeries.

We must remain steps ahead of the criminals who carefully study and monitor our operations.  I see that the training also focuses on profiling, detecting non-genuine travellers, document examination, and impostor and forgery detection.

I advocate that training is a must for our people in order to carry out your duties in excellence. I therefore welcome the support from the United Kingdom’s Border Agency and I hope this is a relationship from which we will continue to benefit. Messrs Miller and Jones, welcome to the BVI and thank you for agreeing to facilitate this training workshop.

I commend the Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Immigration Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe and the planning committee for their hard work in coordinating this week’s training.  I am pleased that the Permanent Secretary continues to lead the way in facilitating training for the ministry and its departments to ensure that the services the Premier’s Office delivers to the public are nothing but professional. This is a very comprehensive training programme and I see this as another example of public sector reform.

I congratulate all the participants for embracing this training opportunity to sharpen your skills. On behalf of the Government, I highly commend all of you for the critical role you play in protecting our borders.  I encourage you to actively participate in the discussions and I wish you a successful training workshop.