Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, speaking on Monday in the wake of Britain’s decision to revoke Saint Lucia’s visa-free access, said that despite concerns raised by the UK over Citizenship by Investment Programmes, his government has no intention of ending its CIP.
In section 5.24 of the UK Home Office’s Explanatory Memorandum to the Statement of Changes in the Immigration Rules: HC 1691, Citizenship by Investment programmes are described as “inherently high-risk”. While the document acknowledges that the Saint Lucian government has taken steps over the past year to reduce those risks, the UK said it “continues to experience unsustainable risks”.
The memorandum argues that the growth in annual CIP applications coincided with an increase in individuals who were later detected using Saint Lucian passports to enter the UK and either claim asylum or work illegally. However, the UK did not provide specific figures to support that claim.
Pierre argues that, just as Britain has the authority to determine its own immigration policies, Saint Lucia also has the right to pursue policies that support its economic development.
“I will tell you that Saint Lucia has no intention of stopping the CIP programme. We will do all we can. I want to be clear. We will do all we can to strengthen the programme,” the Prime Minister stated.
Addressing the broader issue of the UK’s decision to impose visa requirements, Pierre revealed that correspondence delivered to him through the British High Commission pointed to a rise in asylum claims by Saint Lucian nationals as the key concern raised by UK authorities.
The Prime Minister used the opportunity to once again urge Saint Lucians travelling abroad to comply with visa conditions and immigration rules.
“I want to say again, again to Saint Lucia nationals, even when they get a visa to go to the U.K. or to the U.S., do not overstay your time. This is something we can control. Do not overstay your time when you get to the U.K. or the U.S. That is the main reason, as written in the letter,” he said.
The United Kingdom’s decision comes amid what appears to be an effort to tighten immigration controls and reduce net migration.
The MAIN REASON is the cip. That!! Was in the letter
I can understand the reason why CIP has to go on, and it’s for the same reason I am adamantly opposed to it, from it’s inception. We have become too reliant on it, to give it up now. That’s easy money which is very deceiving.
When the passport can finally not take you to UK and EU countries on a visa free, who is going to invest in the CIP program? The attraction for these moneybags is for their families to travel freely around the world. When the passport is not serving that purpose, they will look elsewhere. Mr. PM, please have rethink because it is people that this visa restrictions will impact. The European Union hammer🔨 is dangling
Pierre is listening to hilarious. So he in charge. It doesn’t matter that the country itself doesnt benefit from the passport sales he doing. Hilarious was the one who put CIP. So he benefitting from the sale. Ordinary Lucians are the ones suffering from their policy
The benefits go to the politicians while the plebes bear the cost. All you clowns that out there in rallies and waving flags: politicians have diplomatic passports. You don’t. Furthermore what does that money do for the country? A proper independent forensic audit it needed.
I would care more about whether the government has at least an intention to pursue to regain the free access to the UK within this term. We cannot control others, but we can influence/persuade others.
I am curious to see St. Kitts as it is the oldest CBI programme and still standing strong, despite some criminal news about its “new citizens”. Saint Lucia this time, “asylum” instead.
I also noticed Trinidad has experienced the similar situation like Saint Lucia since last March, even though they do not provide CBI programme.
It’s rationale to say that if the government would still be standing with the CIP, then it is crucial to keep and even improve its global mobility. Vanuatu is a “good” bad example that lost EU and UK free access due to its long-standing recklessness, and now only “special clients” would consider it for “specific” reasons.
Again, for the ultimate benefit to boost local economy and job opportunities, it is important to promote foreign capitals to invest and STAY. Suitable for long residency and strong global mobility would make this beautiful island stand out.
I love our national anthem: May our people, live united, strong in soul and strong in arm. Justice, truth and charity, our ideals forever be.
The UK Government should present the evident to support the claim. Just articulating without evidence presenting can create doubting.
@Jeffrey – you are correct. The UK needs to provide the data for assessment and review. Interesting however is this fact – if this directive had come from the US – it would have been “mum’s the word” from your administration – BTW don’t get it twisted – I am neither UWP nor SLP !!!!
St. Lucian government from both political parties mindset for decades have been to put all the island’s economic lifeline eggs in one basket. Be it the Sugarcane, Bananas, or the Tourist industries. Their failures to attempt and try new economies are coming to bite the population. Considering this small Caribbean nation known to be education focus, the question remains why has more emphasis not been made to get a bite of the High-tech Industry? I am of the opinion Data Centers would be a good start.
SLPee: We put You(ssef) First.
@Jeffrey. That was highlighted in the original release regarding the number of asylum applications.
It’s a double edged sword we need the investments for growth and development but not all the drama that CIP brings. We must decide our own destiny because the US and The Uk provides very little aide to St Lucia if any at all we are a growing nation we must provide for ourselves.
Very controversial situation…they always say politicians piss in your eye and call it rain,the gullible go as far as drinking the pee to a very drunken and incoherent state….shame,shame,shame
They won’t end CIP because of the lifestyle it has caused them to become accustomed to but they didn’t hesitate to end relationships with Cuba who has helped us for years.